India - Emerging as leader in global wind energy

On the very tip of mainland India near Kanya Kumari, there is money to be made literally from thin air, money that is green and environment friendly.

Kudankulam, better known to house India's largest nuclear reactor is also recognized for its giant wind energy farm. More than 5,000 wind turbines jostle for space producing about 4000 MW of electricity.

Each wind mill costing about 70 million rupees produces about 1.25 MW of electricity and the largest of them all is the 2.1 MW giant that stands 80 meters tall owned by the global leader in wind energy Suzlon Energy Limited.

The turbines have a life of 20 years, but since wind speeds are not always favorable these giants produce electricity only for a third of their life. The electricity flows into the grid and the owners make money from the breeze.

India is very energy hungry and needs to tap all forms of carbon free energy sources, the country has a potential to generate 45,000 MW of wind energy. India is already the fifth largest producer of wind power, with an installed capacity of about 10,000 MW.

What you see is Asia's largest wind turbine. If India has to reduce its emissions intensity then the component of wind energy has to be increased drastically.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net