The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has urged wind project developers to place work orders immediately to install remote-controlled supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems at all earmarked Indian Air Force (IAF) stations.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), while issuing no-objection certificates for wind/solar projects, stipulates a condition that since wind turbine generators (WTG) affect the performance of air defence radars by generating Doppler signatures resembling actual aircraft, thereby creating spurious plots/tracks, they should be switched off during war/contingencies/for operational activities, as and when required by IAF.

Towards this, wind projects must ensure installation of SCADA-based remote-control systems at all earmarked IAF stations with facilities to switch off the WTGs.

MNRE said it has come to its notice that, even after several reminders at various meetings highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the required work orders for the implementation of SCADA systems for wind projects have yet to be placed.

Seeking immediate action in the matter, MNRE has asked wind projects to submit an implementation schedule to it at the earliest. It warned that failure to do so may lead to the revocation of the NoC issued by the MoD.

MNRE had held a meeting in this regard in November, following a communication from the IAF on the delay in installing SCADA systems.

SCADA systems perform a vital role by enabling real-time monitoring and control of renewable energy assets such as wind turbines and solar installations. They are required for monitoring power generation, grid integration, and asset maintenance, and for gathering data on wind speeds, WTG output, and rotor speed.

In 2020, MNRE wrote a letter to original equipment manufacturers and wind project developers in the vicinity of the Air Force station at Bhuj to comply with the NOC issued by the Ministry of Defence. MNRE addressed the many obstacle lights on wind turbines in the vicinity of the Air Force station were not working.