Rajasthan: Solar-Wind Collaboration Seen as Key to Wind Power Revival

Jaipur, Rajasthan was an early developer of wind energy as a power supply, but now the solar sector is leading energy and booming in its industry. Government and State officials suggested that wind energy should be revived. It can boom when solar and wind energy combined can produce hybrid projects. 

Wind energy projects almost ended after 2016, when government policy changed. Before this, power supply prices would stay constant and enjoyed fixed-rate power purchase agreements (PPA). However, the policy changed and began with auctions for new projects. This policy decreased costs for consumers and wind power generators also didn’t show much higher bids for the investors. 

Surprisingly after 2016, Rajasthan developed an 867 MW plant in 2022-23 which was the highest in the whole country. But again we saw a decline in the next year because projects of only 4 MW were established in the state. Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation stated that Wind energy projects are part of hybrid projects and those will only be the future. 

The state could not develop new projects because of the Great Indian Bustard issue and disturbance to them and their habitat. Although now combining wind and solar projects can be beneficial for the state as the same land, machinery, and infrastructure would be used. 

Though solar energy works better in Rajasthan because of the weather. While wind energy can work best at night. Wind energy will enhance the efficiency of solar energy and hybrid projects in the state would be a great development. 

Recently, Suzlon Group acquired an order of 551.25MW of wind power projects from Aditya Birla Group. This project is going to be established in Rajasthan and Gujarat. While 368.55MW will be developed in the Barmar district of Rajasthan and 182.70MW will be developed in the Bhuj district of Gujarat. 

Sources : 

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/hybrid-projects-with-solar-hold-key-to-reviving-wind-power-sector-in-state/articleshow/110546295.cms

• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/suzlon-group-gets-551-mw-wind-energy-project-from-aditya-birla-group/articleshow/110527581.cms?from=mdr

Our Perspective 

Hybrid projects will be the future of renewable energy power supply. Using both Solar and Wind energy is important because they enhance the efficiency of each other and supply electricity more effectively.