In a push for cleaner renewable energy sources, the government today approved a policy for setting up wind power projects in sea alongside the nearly 7,600-km coastline.
The National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, cleared by the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, allows development of wind farms in India's exclusive economic zone. It will also allow research work in Indian waters.
The policy aims at allocating offshore wind energy blocks to developers for installing turbines that can generate electricity from wind.
"Under the policy, there will be energy mapping of the country, and locations with high potential will be identified. After that, the government will seek required approval from various departments like space, defence and shipping, before finally putting these projects for bidding," Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal said at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting here.
The Cabinet authorised the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the National Institute of Wind Energy to start allocating blocks offshore for wind developments.
"The development would help the country in moving forward towards attaining energy security and achievement of the National Action Plan on Climate Change targets," an official statement read.
Although offshore wind is often the most talked about part of the wind sector, today it represents about 2 per cent of global installed capacity. In 2014, 1,713 megawatts of new offshore capacity was added, bringing the total to 8,759 MW.
More than 91 per cent (8,045 MW) of all offshore wind installations can be found in European waters -- mainly in the North Sea (5,094.2 MW), Atlantic Ocean (1,808.6 MW) and in the Baltic Sea (1,142.5 MW).
India joins nations like China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the US that are now looking at offshore wind.
Goyal said, "We have assessed the capacity of offshore wind power. There is a potential of generating 1,06,000 MW power through offshore wind source on Gujarat's coastline alone and (it is)... 60,000 MW on Tamil Nadu's coastline."
According to the statement, the preliminary assessments along the 7,600-km long Indian coastline have indicated prospects of development of offshore wind power.
The policy, which will help the country move forward towards attaining energy security, is expected to provide a level-playing field to all investors/beneficiaries, domestic and international. All the processes would be carried out by NIWE.
The policy will be applicable throughout the country, depending on offshore wind potential availability.
India has achieved significant success in the onshore wind power development, with over 23 GW of wind energy capacity already installed and generating power.
India targets 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind power, 10 GW of biomass-fired power and 5 GW of small hydro power.
According to the statement, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will be the nodal ministry for use of offshore areas within EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of the country.
Moreover, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) will be the nodal agency for development of offshore wind energy in the country to carry out allocation of offshore wind energy blocks, coordination and allied functions with related ministries and agencies, it said.
It further said that the approval paves the way for offshore wind energy development including setting up of offshore wind power projects and research and development activities in waters, in or adjacent to the country, up to the seaward distance of 200 nautical miles (EEZ of country) from the baseline.
