India changes wind turbine deployment rules to boost energy efficiency, ET EnergyWorld

New Delhi: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released revised guidelines for the development of onshore wind power projects, specifically updating the micro-site criteria to optimise energy production. This amendment, dated July 4, 2024, introduces improved standards for the spacing and spacing of wind turbines to maximise energy efficiency in wind farms. As per the new guidelines, developers are required to use advanced wind modelling and optimisation techniques to comply with IEC 61400-1, which governs the safety of wind turbines under various environmental conditions. The criteria stipulate that a minimum distance of five times the rotor diameter (5D) from the turbines in the direction of prevailing winds and seven times (7D) perpendicularly, based on the rotor diameter of the largest turbine involved, be maintained.

In addition, the guidelines mandate a buffer of the rotor diameter plus five meters from public roads and critical infrastructure to protect both the infrastructure and the operational integrity of the wind turbines. To address noise concerns, turbines cannot be located within 500 meters of any residential clusters, defined as areas with at least 15 occupied buildings, unless otherwise required by state law.

These modifications are aimed at not only improving the efficiency of wind power projects but also supporting modernization and intercropping, thus ensuring optimized land use without significant restrictions on turbine layout. The update, which is already in force, is expected to impact a wide range of stakeholders in India’s growing renewable energy sector.