Renewables Ministry calls for EOI for 1000 MW offshore wind project

By Iamrenew Bureau

Publish on: Apr 13, 2018

After a sedate 2017, things are finally moving on the Wind Energy front again in India. The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), an autonomous body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has called for ‘Expression of Interest’ (EoI) for the first offshore wind energy project of India. It’s a global pitch for the 1000 MW project, with the site at Gulf of Khambat, off the coast of Gujarat. The proposed area is located 23-40 km seaward side from Pipavav port. MNRE plans to install at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2022, out of the total renewables target of 173 GW by 2022.

As per the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified on October, 2015, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai is 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 projects in India.

The first offshore LiDAR was installed in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat for measurement of wind resource and 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. Tamil Nadu, it may be recounted, has been the leading state in India as far as Wind Power goes. Both in capacity and generation. 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. Besides being relatively unaffected by the NIMBY (Not in my backyard) syndrome where locals have protested against onshore projects for their noise, being eyesores and worse. The government hopes that the EoI will generate interest from leading players of offshore wind turbine manufacturers and developers.

The success of the Wind and Solar Power projects in any case are integral to the country achieving its National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) targets.

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