Karnataka has discovered potential to create an extra 1. 2-lakh-MW of wind energy through a talukwise ‘wind atlas’, in line with aspirations to add more green and clean energy to the grid.
The atlas comes after Karnataka was named the country’s third-largest wind energy potential in the National Institute of Wind Energy’s (NIWE) inaugural “wind atlas” published in 2019. While the NIWE map estimated Karnataka’s ability to generate electricity at more than 1. 2-lakh-Mw at 120 metres above ground level, the taluk-level atlas has now discovered potential for an additional 1. 2-lakh-Mw.
V Sunil Kumar, state energy minister, said: “Available energy pockets were already allocated to players, so we looked afresh at wind energy. Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) reached out to NIWE for a talukwise map. Today, we have the potential to generate another 1. 2 lakh Mw across forests, cultivable and wasteland. ”
