The government Monday said that 12,000 MW of wind energy has been tapped so far out of the total potential of 48,500 MW in the country.

New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah informed the Rajya Sabha that more than half of the 9,000 MW target for the 11th five-year plan (2007-2012) has been achieved.

He said 5,035 MW has been achieved and the balance would be done during the remaining plan period.

He said with the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (CWET), the ministry had taken up a wind resource assessment programme to identify sites for setting up of wind power projects in the country.

"As a result of the survey conducted by CWET, 233 wind potential locations have been identified so far. The total sites identified were 650, however 233 were found to be having good potential," Abdullah said.