Panchpatta Wind Power Project

The project involves the development of 25 x 800kW wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 20 MW located in the village of Panchpatta, in the state of Maharashtra, India. The project provides 35GWh of renewable electricity to the Western regional electricity grid of India per year, reducing CO2 emissions by displacing electricity from fossil fuel-based electricity generation plants (particularly coal-based generation).

India’s energy generation relies heavily on the use of coal and the construction of these turbines will help overcome its reliance on this highly polluting fossil fuel. Wind power incurs none of the carbon dioxide emissions, local environmental pollution or solid waste problems associated with coal-fired power stations.

Before project construction began, a consultation was held with local stakeholders to ensure all were in favour of its development. In addition to reducing GHG emissions, the project provides local infrastructure such as roads and temporary and permanent employment opportunities in the region. The project owner also engaged with the local community through the planting of trees in the area and through contributions of 1m INR to 10 local village temples and 200k INR towards a computers programme for eight village schools.