The specific objectives of the project are to create an enabling environment for offshore wind through resource mapping, policy guidance and capacity building measures, and to assess the infrastructure base and identify improvements required. In addition, the project will seek to build partnerships at a technical, policy and research level both within India and between India and EU companies, research groups and institutions, with a final goal of developing an Offshore Wind Outlook and development pathway for India up to 2032.
The key focus of the project will be on the states of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. It will be supported by 4 million euros of funding contributions through the European Union’s Indo-European Cooperation on Renewable Energy programme. The project will also work in close cooperation with India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and other relevant offices of the Indian government as well as State governments in order to look closely at the challenges and opportunities presented by offshore wind.
“The Offshore Wind Power Development project supported by European Union's Indo-European Cooperation on Renewable Energy programme falls perfectly in line with the vision of the Government of India for development of offshore wind power in the country” said Alok Srivastava, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. “The project is being launched when the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is also working towards the introduction of National Offshore Wind Energy Policy in India.”
The World Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), based in Pune, will host the project management unit, and focus on the state of Gujarat. The Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), based in Bangalore will focus on the State of Tamil Nadu and DNV-GL, one of the world’s largest renewable energy consultancies, will, through its Bangalore based subsidiary, provide it’s long expertise in the offshore industry, as well as its experience in technology assessment, project design, due diligence and other areas.
“We in Europe are committed towards reducing emissions and moving towards sustainable forms of energy, thereby lowering the dependency on fossil fuels and working towards a cleaner climate” added Dr. João Cravinho, Ambassador of the European Union. “This project on Wind energy in partnership with our Indian counterparts is driven by the same philosophy – secure, affordable and clean energy for all.”
Although onshore wind is now a mature, competitive and mainstream energy generation source, global offshore wind is still in a relatively early stage of development. Most of the 6 GW of capacity installed is in the North Sea, Baltic and Irish Seas. The only other substantial market is in China, although there are exciting developments in Japan, Korea, Taiwan as well as early movement in the United States. As with all new technologies, the capital costs are high, and there is still a great deal of technical and management learning required to bring costs down to competitive levels. One of the goals of the project will be to learn as much as possible from the European experience to ensure that when India ventures offshore it does so in the most effective way possible.
For additional information:
World Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE)
