Renewable energy resources can be utilised without any discernable reduction in their future availability. They are classified as ‘cool’ and ‘hot’ resources, as the former produce energy without being burned, the later require combustion. The renewable resources include wind, biomass, hydro power, solar energy, geo thermal energy, and tidal energy. Today, wind is the main option for generating electricity from renewable resources.

Wind is air in motion and people have been harnessing its energy since ages. Earliest known windmills looked like large paddle wheels and were constructed in Iran. Later Holland improved upon the design by introducing propeller type blades. American colonists used windmills to pump water, to grind wheat and corn, and to cut wood at saw mills. In the 1920s, Americans used small wind turbines to generate electricity in rural areas.

Turbines convert wind’s kinetic energy into electricity. These are of two types based on direction of the rotating shaft: horizontal and vertical axis turbines. A large commercial size turbine can generate up to 5MW of electricity. Wind power plants or wind farms are clusters of wind turbines used for producing electricity. Though wind electricity generation cannot be precisely scheduled based on demand, sophisticated monitoring and wind resource analysis help wind developers to estimate with great accuracy when and how much wind energy is available in a particular region. People plan their resource balance accordingly.

There are numerous advantages of wind generated electricity. Wind is an indigenous resource, provides energy security and prevents conflicts over natural resources. The facility can be constructed in a relatively short span of time: from ground breaking to commercial operation, it takes 3-6 months. It is fueled by the wind and does not cause any air or water pollution. The land surrounding wind turbines can be put to traditional use, for instance, farming, at the same time that electricity is being produced.

Once a facility stops operating, the land can be restored to its original condition. By adding wind generated electricity to their portfolios, utilities and other energy, businesses help diversify energy supply and meet the growing energy demand without an increase in the consumption of fossil fuel. As there is no fuel cost volatility, the long-term price of wind generated electricity remains relatively stable.

Most of the wind farms are located in the US and Europe. The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in America is the world’s largest wind farm. With 421 turbines, it has the capacity to generate electricity to power 220,000 homes per year.

In fact, wind generated electricity has mushroomed into a flourishing worldwide business. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), over the past ten years, global wind power capacity has continued to grow at an average cumulative rate of over 32 per cent. In terms of economic value, the global wind market is estimated to be worth about $36 billion annually in new generating equipment. Wind energy projects are being set up and operated in over 70 countries, and the number of people employed by the industry is around 200,000. By the end of 2007, the capacity of wind turbines all over the world had reached a level of more than 94,112MW.

Though Europe accounts for 65 per cent of the global wind power capacity, other regions too are emerging as its substantial markets. For instance, the Chinese government aims to generate 5,000MW by 2010 and by 2020 it wants to produce 30,000MW. According to an estimate, global wind power capacity will reach 160GW by 2012.

The global wind energy market has also attracted prominent players from the conventional fossil fuel, power, and finance sectors and these include General Electric, Shell, ABB, Allianz, AES, and Siemens.

In order to stay abreast with the global approach, Pakistan also encourages investment in wind energy. The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) set up in 2003, has been given the task to produce 700MW and 9700MW of wind generated electricity, through the private sector, by 2010 and 2030 respectively.

As there is no wind atlas available, surveys have been conducted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department and AEDB to identify areas suitable for wind energy generation. In fact, a 60km wide and 180km long area has been identified, in Sindh, having an exploitable potential of 50,000MW. This corridor has become the focus of wind energy developers.

According to AEDB, there are about 84 IPPs interested in installing a 50 MW wind farm each. So far, 23,646 acres of land have been allocated to 15 investors. A further 10,330 acres are being provisionally allocated to seven other investors. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has issued generation licences to some companies and has announced an upfront tariff. Other processes are underway as well. However, keeping in view all that is happening in other countries in this regard, there is definitely room for improvement.

Most importantly, in order to fully utilise the benefits of wind energy, the country must quickly move towards manufacturing wind turbines indigenously as it has the capability. This will not only cut down the cost of setting up wind farms, but will also feed industry and create jobs. In fact, in the long run, we should aim at exporting this equipment. India is already doing all this.