The nearly two-month-long lockdown has drastically cut pollution levels in India and influenced local weather, thereby improving solar radiation and wind patterns, bringing cheer to solar and wind energy developers.
While this has helped improve electricity generation, it comes at a time when the lockdown has led to a drop in the country’s power demand. The lockdown, one of the world’s strictest, has now been extended till 31 May although many restrictions have been eased.
“The lockdown has had a positive impact on renewable power generation. We are seeing an over 5-10% improvement in generation in solar, based on the location of the plant. On wind, we are seeing a short-term improvement in generation, but one would need more analysis in the longer term to evaluate the positive impact,” said Tejpreet S. Chopra, chief executive, BLP Group, a renewable energy generation and technology company.
