Wind-solar hybrid pipeline of 15GW makes it a key renewable energy segment

MUMBAI : Renewable energy generation projects that are a hybrid of wind and solar power appear to be the next sector of interest among both government policymakers and investors. According to estimate by credit ratings agency Crisil, about 15 GW of WSH (wind-solar hybrid) power will come up over the next five years, riding on strong support from central public sector undertaking Solar Energy Corporation of India and several state governments.

In renewable energy plants, generation from solar energy peaks during the day and that of wind energy at night. However, this difference in supply of power to the grid affects the latter’s resilience, which makes distribution companies (discoms) reluctant to buy power from standalone wind and solar projects. In the hybrid option, however, these two energy sources complement each other, which could help overcome the problems of variability of generation and grid security, and thereby discoms’ reluctance