India to get the first offshore wind power project in Gujarat  

a beach in gujarat

Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message in the U.S that renewable energy is the way to achieve energy efficiency, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India, signed a MoU to set up a joint venture company (JVC) to build country’s first ever offshore wind power project.

The first project of 100 MW capacity will be set up along the Gujarat coast.

By 2020, India is targeting 1 GW of wind power through offshore projects.

Participating firms also include National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), and consortium of partners consisting of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Power Trading Corporation (PTC), and Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL).

The JVC will undertake detailed feasibility study based on the inputs received from pre-feasibility studies and necessary steps for implementation of the first offshore demonstration wind power project.

The project will be provided with subsidy to set up evacuation and transmission infrastructure of the offshore wind power to the main land including financial support for carrying out studies such as wind resource assessment, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), oceanographic survey and Bathymetric studies.

a beach in gujarat

India is blessed with 7600 km of coastal line, which provides the country with opportunities to scale up wind projects in a humongous manner, said Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (I/C), Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy. The government plans to collaborate with Defence, Coast Guard and Shipping departments to ensure seamless and time bound approval process.

Onshore wind power in India has already grown to commercial scale and is growing fast. The country currently has more than 22 GW of installed onshore wind power capacity.

Considering the potential in the sector, the Ministry has now taken the initiative to encourage offshore wind sector. The Ministry is evaluating a number of favorable policies such as Draft National Offshore Wind Energy Policy and Draft Cabinet note on National Offshore Wind Energy Policy to boost the sector.

According to officials at MNRE, finalization of the proposed National Offshore Wind Energy Policy will provide a conducive environment for harnessing offshore wind energy including setting up of a demonstration offshore wind power project to show case technology and build investors’ confidence.

Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts were identified as the preferred places for the development of offshore projects. Since, GPCL has shown interest, it was decided to plan the first offshore wind power project along the coast of Gujarat, officials said.
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