The country's first ever offshore wind power project is set to come up in Gujarat. While on one hand, the Central government is roping in public sector undertakings, on the other hand, Suzlon is conducting a techno-commercial feasibility study for offshore wind power project in Gujarat.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a group of public sector undertakings and others to setup a joint venture company for an offshore wind power project in Gujarat. The consortium for the 100 Mw wind power plant project comprises of 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).

On the other hand, Suzlon is planning to come up with a 300 Mw offshore wind power project on a pilot basis. "The central government is likely to come up with an integrated single window policy on offshore wind power generation. We are expecting the policy within a year, after which we can start work on the project. Currently, the techno-commercial feasibility study is on since we need wind data for the pilot project in Gujarat," said Tulsi Tanti, chairman of Suzlon Group.

According to Tanti, though on a pilot basis, the offshore wind power project by Suzlon, possibly the first in the country, is likely to come up in Gujarat within four years from the time of commencement of work.

Part of MRNE's initiatives towards offshore wind power development also include announcement of draft National Offshore Wind Energy Policy and preparation of draft Cabinet note on National Offshore Wind Energy Policy. Once promulgated, the proposed National Offshore Wind Energy Policy will provide a conducive environment for offshore wind energy.

In this, experts believe, Gujarat has natural advantage over other states in leveraging on its offshore wind power capabilities.

"Luckily, Gujarat has a long continental shelf over 50-60 per cent of its total coastline wherein the slope of the sea is gradual. This makes setting up of offshore wind power conducive. Also, south west winds come all over Gujarat from the Arabian Sea, thereby providing unhindered wind for at least six months. Hence, Gujarat has advantage over other states and the potential is huge for offshore wind power generation from Gujarat's coast," said Anil Kane, president of World Wind Energy Association and chairman of Indian Wind Energy Association.

However, Kane cited that power absorption may become an issue. "The state and central government will have to work on setting up power absorption infrastructure so that the wind power generated offshore is absorbed," he added.

As far as the PSU consortium is concerned, a subsidy for setting up of evacuation and transmission infrastructure of the offshore wind power to the main land has been proposed, besides provide financial support for carrying out studies such as wind resource assessment, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), oceanographic survey and Bathymetric studies. Moreover, MNRE is also set to assist in obtaining clearances involved during the implementation of the project.

It needs to be mentioned here that globally around 7.5 Gw of offshore wind power projects have been installed in countries like China, UK, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium.