Offshore Wind Energy to Help India Attain Energy Security

Offshore Wind Energy, better than onshore wind in terms of efficiency that is becoming competitive and comparable in terms of tariffs at the global level, could be available in India by 2022 with at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity, as of National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), has initiated on April 11, 2018 the process installing a 1000 MW offshore wind energy project in Gulf of Khambat, off the coast of Gujarat

National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), an autonomous body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), established in Chennai in the year 1998, is a knowledge-based institution of high quality and dedication, offers services and seeks to find complete solutions for the kinds of difficulties and improvements in the entire spectrum of the wind energy sector by carrying out further research. As per the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified on October, 2015, NIWE is the nodal agency to carry out the necessary studies/surveys and act as a single window for facilitating necessary clearances required for development of offshore wind project in India.

• NIWE is collecting wind speed data from November, 2017 onwards from the first offshore LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), installed by Facilitating Offshore Wind in India (FOWIND) consortium-lead by Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat for measurement of wind resource.
• LiDAR technology is proving its ability to provide wind measurements as reliably as met masts. LiDARs are typically faster, easier, and cheaper to deploy, enabling significant development and operational cost reductions.
• LiDAR will provide data to help MNRE examine the potential of offshore wind along the country’s coastline and the proposed area covers around 400 square kilometres and is located some 23 kilometres off Pipavav port at Gulf of Khambhat.
• 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.
• Necessary Geo-Technical and Geo-Physical studies off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are underway.
• 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.