Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. (Answer in 150 words)

India has a substantial wind-energy resource, especially along coastal belts, mountain passes and the Deccan plateau. It can diversify electricity supply and reduce emissions.

Potential

• Long coastlines, monsoon winds and favourable ridges support utility-scale projects in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
• Hybrid wind–solar parks, repowering of old turbines and offshore wind can improve capacity utilisation.
• Wind power reduces fuel imports, creates rural leases and complements solar generation seasonally.

Why spatial spread remains limited

• Wind is viable only above adequate wind-speed and density thresholds; resource quality is geographically concentrated.
• Transmission evacuation, land acquisition, forest permissions and fragmented holdings delay projects.
• Variable generation needs balancing capacity, storage and stronger grids.
• Low tariffs, curtailment, policy uncertainty and concerns about bird habitats and local ecology discourage investment.

Way forward

Resource mapping, green corridors, repowering, transparent auctions, offshore regulation and wind–solar-storage planning can widen deployment responsibly.

Wind density; capacity factor; repowering; offshore wind; transmission; storage; hybrid parks.