As per the data available, Gujarat has the highest potential for generation of wind power (9675 MW). As against this potential, the installed capacity is only 1253 MW. Realising the importance of renewable energy sources, The Government of Gujarat under the able leadership of Shri Narendra Bhai Modi, has conceived a grandiose vision for wind energy development in the State. During the vibrant Gujarat summits 2003 and 2005, the State Government has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with developers for 2700 MW capacity addition of wind energy in the state. This is an unprecedented unique policy initiative by any State Government in India. IWPA would like to be a catalyst to encourage, enthuse and motivate the investors and developers to come in a more big way to put up more windmills in Gujarat. A IWPA State Council office in Ahmedabad with officials chosen from investors community in Gujarat would go a long way in achieving the goal. The IWPA National Office which is prevalent country wide would provide the backing to the Gujarat State Council of IWPA.
The State Government has been encouraging setting up of windmills with an attractive policy. With the power requirement growing day by day, wind power can play a crucial role in meeting the demand-supply gap. Further wind power is available at its maximum during the summer months when the demand is high. Above all, generation of power from wind does not harm the environment in any way as it is pollution free unlike the thermal power. In the current scenario of Global warming, generation of wind power needs to be encouraged. The State Electricity Commission has also prescribed an procurement tariff of 3.37 paise per unit which is good to attract investment in wind energy sector in the State. Last year with an addition of 578.5 MW of wind power, Gujarat had overtaken Tamil Nadu which hither towards holding No.1 position in yearly additions to wind power.
However, there is one small problem that needs to be addressed to immediately, if Gujarat has to attain its full potential. At present, the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has prescribed that the share of renewable power in the total quantum of procurement of power from all sources should be 2%. This 2% is very low and this will act as a deterrent for the growth of wind power in Gujarat. Considering the various advantages of wind power, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission should come forward to increase the minimum share of renewable power from 2 to 5% immediately and to 10% by next year. Then only, there will be vibrancy in the growth of wind power in Gujarat. The 1250 MW should increase to 10,000 MW before long.
During the meeting, the Gujarat State Council of the Indian Wind Power Association was formed with the following office bearers.
President – To be decided in next meeting.
Vice-President – S.P.Singh (Eliokem India Pvt. Ltd Ankaleshwar)
Secretary – Manoj Mishra (Enercon India Ltd Vadodara)
Joint Secretary- Harshal Shah (Suzlon Energy Ahmedabad)
Treasurer – Chetan Deshmukh (Powerica Ltd., Ahmedabad)
Council Members
Dilbag Sharma (Enercon (India) Ltd., Ahmedabad)
Chetan Desai (Desai Textiles - Surat)
Bhalesh Mehta (Rachna Group of Companies - Surat)
Jigar Shah (Kintech Synergy (P) Ltd., Ahmedabad)
Kamlesh Trivedi (Navneet Publications India Ltd Ahmedabad)
Alok Das (Suzlon Energy Ahmedabad)
Shelly Mani (Vestas Wind Technolgy India Ahmedabad)
Hemant Bhatt (Simms Electricals Ahmedabad)
Shailesh Shah (Sayaji Iron And Engineering Co. Ltd Vadodara)
Rajesh Dubal (West Inn Ltd., Ahmedabad)
