The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has invited for Expression of Interest (EoI) for the first offshore wind energy project of India.
The tender is aimed at shortlisting offshore wind energy developers for a 1000 MW offshore wind energy project in Gulf of Khambat, off the coast of Gujarat. The 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.
National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai will conduct the studies / surveys before final bidding and act as a single window for facilitating clearances required for development of offshore wind project in India.
The first offshore LiDAR was installed in Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat for measurement of wind resource. NIWE is 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. 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.
Offshore wind energy is better than onshore wind in terms of efficiency, competitiveness and tariffs. The EoI is expected to receive interest from leading players of offshore wind turbine manufacturers and developers.