2022 · GS Paper 1 · Q7 · 10 marks
Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.
In short
India's wind potential, about 1,164 GW at 150 m hub height per NIWE, is barely tapped and confined to eight western and southern states because of local wind regimes, bustard habitat limits, a thin grid and tight auction tariffs. Installed capacity stood at 47.96 GW in November 2024.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 282 words
Onshore resource
NIWE estimates about 695 GW at 120 m and 1,164 GW at 150 m, led by Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Offshore frontier
About 70 GW is identified off Gujarat and the Gulf of Mannar, with 2024 viability gap funding for the first 1 GW.
Complement to solar
Wind peaks in monsoon and evening hours, making hybrids under the 2018 policy useful for round-the-clock power.
Physical geography
Strong, steady winds occur where gaps such as Palghat and Aralvaimozhi funnel the monsoon, or along the Kutch coast and in the Thar; the Gangetic plain is calm.
Ecology and land
The Supreme Court's 2021 Great Indian Bustard order on power lines in Rajasthan and Gujarat slowed projects.
Grid limits
Evacuation lines and the Green Energy Corridor exist only around windy pockets, and Tamil Nadu often curtails wind power.
Auction economics
Reverse auctions since 2017 drove tariffs near ₹2.43 per unit, so only the windiest sites can bid.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.