More than half of 11th Plan target of 9,000 MW wind power installation has been achieved: New and Renewable Energy Minister

More than half of the 11th Plan target of 9,000 MW wind power installation has already been achieved, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah informed the Rajya Sabha today.

5035 MW has already achieved and the balance would be done during the remaining period of the Five Year Plan (2007-2012), he said during Question Hour.Abdullah said the government is extending help in setting up more windmills in the country.

"The total wind potential for the entire country is 48,500 MW and our ministry with the help of Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) has completed 12,000 MW till today," he said.

Abdullah said that along with C-WET, the ministry has taken up a wind resource assessment programme to identify sites for setting up of wind power projects in the country.

"As a result of the survey conducted by C-WET, 233 wind potential locations have been identified so far. The total sites identified were 650, however 233 were found to be having good potential," he said.The minister said major hurdles in wind power development include delay in land allocation and getting forest clearances for new projects.