India Eyes Offshore Wind Energy

India is preparing to harness great offshore wind potential in the coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Hindu news portal informs

At a meeting held with the aim of preparing draft policy guidelines of the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy for development of offshore wind energy, Rajeev Ranjan, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board chairman said that the policy guidelines should have been made a long time ago.

“The policy guidelines will steer the offshore wind energy projects and be the basis of participation of the private sector,” said Mr. Ranjan.

Since the resource assessment takes too much time, the projects at the sites where assessment has been carried out will have priority.

Scottish agencies have already completed some assessments recording potentials of 1 GW north of Rameshwaram and 1 GW south of Kanyakumari.

“The policy should contain a detailed guideline on security and safety aspects of such offshore structures. Representatives from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) could be taken on board due to strict requirements of the missile testing procedures in the region of mutual interest,” Director in Ministry of Power Manish Pathak said.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, July 18, 2012