The Indian Wind Power Association (IWPA) is planning to organise a series of conferences this year. In line with this decision the association has scheduled the 4th International Wind Conference — WE20 by 2020 — on June 22 and 23 at the Codissia Trade Fair Centre in Coimbatore.

IWPA Chairman K Kasthurirangaian told presspersons here this morning that the members would discuss and prepare a roadmap for India to have 20 per cent grid penetration by 2020.

“This would be in line with the 60 GW target set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) by 2022. The deliberations with the industry stakeholders would be the starting point for various initiatives, which we propose to undertake to achieve the target (of 60 GW) set by the Government of India.”

“The conference and the expo — scheduled to begin a day earlier on June 21 —{+ }would serve as the launch pad for discussion on the relevance of the National Wind Energy Mission,” the IWPA Chairman said.

With wind power projects spread across seven states with a capacity of 22 GW and potential in excess of 102 GW at 80 m hub height, there is still huge off-shore potential, estimated at over 3000 MW. But to achieve this potential, the Government – both at the Centre and the State – will need to act quickly to address the various issues.

At present, a project promoter will need to get clearances from 18 agencies such as the navy, coast guard, ocean environment, the State Electricity Board for cable-laying, and so on. If India has to surpass Germany and Spain in wind energy installation, the industry's issues will have to be addressed without delay, Kasthurirangaian told this correspondent ahead of the meet.

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