Govt calls EoI for first 1GW offshore wind energy project
12 Apr 2018
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The government has set in motion the process of installing the first offshore wind energy project in the country by inviting expressions of interest from wind energy developers for a 1,000 MW project in Gulf of Khambat, off the Gujarat coast.
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), an autonomous body under the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has called for EoI, for shortlisting prospective offshore wind energy developers for the 1,000 MW offshore wind energy project.The proposed area is located 23-40 km seaward from Pipavav port. The ministry plans to install at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2022.
As per the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified on October, 2015, Chennai-based NIWE, will be the nodal agency to carry out the necessary studies / surveys before final bidding and act as a single window for facilitating necessary clearances required for development of offshore wind project in India.
The first offshore LiDAR (light detection and ranging) radar was installed in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat to measure wind resource using which, NIWE has been collecting wind speed data from November 2017 onwards. Areas off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are two identified areas for development of offshore wind power.
The second LiDAR would be installed off Tamil Nadu coast by September 2018. In addition NIWE is planning to set up few more LiDARs for assessment of offshore wind resources. Besides necessary geo-technical and geo-physical studies off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are underway.
At global level, it has been observed that offshore wind energy while being better than onshore wind in terms of efficiency is also becoming competitive and comparable in terms of tariffs. With a large energy market in India, the expression of interest is expected to evince keen interest from leading offshore wind turbine manufacturers and developers. The Indian industry can also participate with suitable tie-up with global players.
With the announcement of this first offshore wind energy project, the government is attempting to develop this sector in India and envisages to replicate similar success as on-shore wind power sector. This would help the country towards attaining energy security and achievement of National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) targets.
