There is a growing tendency in some quarters to posit renewables particularly wind power, as an alternative to Nuclear power. These suggestions, howsoever well intentioned, are utterly misplaced. Most Renewable means of generation barring a few are essentially intermittent power sources, and are thoroughly unsuitable for base load supply, as it were. Now, as we all know high capacity factors and availability is what makes nuclear power an attractive option for forming the backbone of any grid. Intermittent power sources at best can be peaking schemes and are more suited to off-grid profiles. Comparing wind power to nuclear sources of generation is akin to comparing apples to oranges.


Wind power in particular has huge grid penetration issues and is utterly unsuitable for base load supply. Various studies have shown that at the very best , wind power can be allowed a 20 per cent grid penetration ratio. Many commentators, especially in India, consider wind power an "enemy of the grid". This is on account of the fact, that wind power generation often takes place when you don't need it. For instance wind power generation is relatively higher in the monsoon period; however that is also a time when many hydro power stations come into their own. Now these stations are generally cheaper than wind power and merit order dispatch requires that these stations contribute to the grid first. Thus a need to store the power from wind turbines arises and storage of power is neither cheap nor large scale.

Wind turbine capacity factors even with the latest turbines that generate power while revolving in either direction are no higher than 30 per cent. Hybridisation with other renewable means such as solar PV can mitigate non-availability somewhat ,but not by much. In any case there is no escaping the standard power quality issues that would arise with an intermittent source such as wind. This of course means that wind turbines have disproportionately high reactive power needs and this increases the cost of installation due to the need to have various power quality devices.

Though costs by swept rotor area, especially due to larger capture units have declined, they are still quite high. As they say, most of the low hanging fruit in terms of windy sites has been taken. In any case land is becoming increasingly scarce and large wind farms are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. This is actually one of the main drivers behind the rise of off shore wind power. However, off shore wind power is no panacea either and there are huge power evacuation issues related to the same.Indeed, in the years to come, the prime resource for generation of wind power will not be wind but windy sites.

Wind power is not the solution to our huge grid connected requirements. It is an accessory and when used in consort with other technologies may serve as an excellent standalone option. however to say that it can serve as a viable grid connected alternative to nuclear power is stretching the point a bit too much.