How Wind Energy Can Cater J&K’s Energy Demand
Raman Sharma
jkrtiact@gmail.com
Jammu and Kashmir is known for its mountains, meadows and rivers, but hidden within this beauty lies another kind of power, the power of the wind. Though blessed with sunshine, water and biomass, the region still faces energy shortages. Much of its electricity depends on conventional fuels, leading to deforestation, use of firewood and growing pollution. To address this, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted J & K Wind Power Policy 2023, a major step toward clean and renewable energy.
Wind energy is one of the most reliable and sustainable sources of power. Unlike coal or oil, it neither exhausts natural resources nor damages the environment. Countries like Denmark, Germany and Spain have already shown how wind can ensure energy independence. For Jammu and Kashmir, with its varied terrain and climate, harnessing wind power is both practical and promising. Studies suggest that J&K has an installable wind potential of about 5,300 MW at 50 metres and nearly 5,700 MW at 80 metres. These figures show that several districts are suitable for wind farms.
The Wind Power Policy 2023 provides a framework to promote investment and public participation. It will remain operative for fifteen years, allowing individuals, companies and institutions to set up wind turbines for their own use or to sell power to the grid. The policy ensures transparent land allotment, simplified permissions and open access. The Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) is the nodal body for project registration and approvals through a single-window system. This clarity is expected to build investor confidence and speed up renewable growth.
Jammu and Kashmir’s geography offers both challenges and opportunities. Hilly terrain and cold weather make large operations difficult, but modern technology has made wind generation possible even in tough conditions. New turbines with temperature-resistant blades, better gear systems and hybrid solar-wind models can work efficiently in mountain regions. The Jammu plains and parts of Kathua, Reasi, Rajouri and high plateaus near Ladakh have good potential. Smaller wind turbines can bring power to remote and border villages still off-grid, improving rural life and reducing dependence on wood.
The economic benefits of wind power are strong. Once installed, turbines require little running cost as the wind is free. The policy offers incentives such as exemption from electricity duty, 50 percent relief in demand cuts for captive users and concessions in transmission charges. Developers can lease government land at a fixed rate of three hectares per megawatt, easing one of the biggest hurdles in renewable projects. By allowing both captive and third-party power sales at approved or competitive rates, the government has made wind energy a profitable option for industries and investors.
Wind energy can open new avenues of entrepreneurship for local youth. Small-scale fabrication, maintenance, logistics and service activities linked with wind farms can provide steady livelihoods. Training in turbine operation and green technologies can prepare young people for modern energy jobs. As these ventures grow, they will generate employment and add to the region’s economic growth.
Wind energy projects can even become tourist attractions. The sight of tall turbines turning against snow-covered mountains or open valleys can draw visitors and students. Viewing points and eco-friendly facilities around such projects could promote green tourism, adding income for nearby communities.
The policy includes technical guidelines. Developers must set up their own evacuation systems to ensure that power reaches the grid efficiently. Advanced metering will allow real-time monitoring of output. Compliance with Central Electricity Authority standards will protect grid stability and prevent power fluctuations. These measures make the policy both practical and reliable.
Environmentally, wind energy offers great advantages. Every unit of wind power replaces electricity from coal or diesel, cutting carbon emissions. In a region where ecosystems are fragile and weather patterns are shifting, clean energy will reduce environmental stress and save forests, which many people still depend on for firewood. Wind projects will create jobs in construction, maintenance and services, offering opportunities to local workers and small businesses.
The policy insists on responsible development. Use of second-hand turbines is banned; only machines approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy are allowed. Developers are encouraged to explore the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which grants carbon credits for reducing emissions. Income from these credits will be shared between developers and power purchasers, adding an extra incentive to maintain clean operations.
The larger goal of the Wind Power Policy 2023 is not just to produce electricity but to reshape the region’s energy future. It aims for self-reliance, cleaner air and long-term sustainability. By tapping its wind potential, Jammu and Kashmir can balance hydro and solar resources, ensuring power even in winter when river flow drops. This balanced mix will help the Union Territory meet its growing demand while supporting India’s target of 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
The Wind Power Policy 2023 is more than a technical paper. It is a vision for a cleaner and stronger future. It calls for using nature’s resources wisely. With honest implementation, public participation and continued innovation, the winds across Jammu and Kashmir can become a true source of light, livelihood and hope.
(The author is an RTI Activist from Jammu)
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