Introduction
Offshore wind is one of the key renewable energy resources available with India which has high potential (71GW combined in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu), however it is yet to be utilised commercially. These projects can help offset a large part of demand from conventional sources and contribute towards sustainable energy usage. Realising the untapped potential and the country's ambitious targets, the Government of India has set long term plans to see increased footprint of such projects
Key content
National level
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for research and development, international cooperation and coordination in renewable energy sources.
Website https://mnre.gov.in/
Email policy-mnre@nic.in
The key policies and schemes from the MNRE in the Wind-Solar sector include:
Draft- National Repowering Policy for Wind Power Projects (2022) – A policy for repowering of the wind power projects was issued on 5th August 2016 by MNRE. Based on the feedback from stakeholders on the same, the policy has been modified and a draft “National Repowering Policy for Wind Power Projects, 2022’ has been prepared. The objectives of the Repowering Policy are optimum utilization of Wind energy resource by maximizing energy (kWh) yield per sq.km of the project area and utilizing the latest state-of the art onshore Wind turbine technologies.
Only wind turbines at a power rating below 2MW are eligible in this scheme
Website https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1666005996212.pdf
National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015) – As per the policy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will act as the nodal Ministry for development of Offshore Wind Energy in India and work in close coordination with other government entities for Development and Use of Maritime Space within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country and shall be responsible for overall monitoring of offshore wind energy development in the country. National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai will be the nodal agency to carryout resource assessment; surveys and studies in EEZ demarcate blocks and facilitate developers for setting up offshore wind energy farms.
Website https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/3debfe9158b643d8a3e06a7a007f2ef9.pdf
Strategy Paper for Establishment of Offshore Wind Energy Projects – Government of India notified National Offshore Wind Energy Policy-2015 on 6 October 2015 for the development of offshore wind power in the country. The policy provides for offshore wind power development up to a seaward distance of 200 nautical miles from the baseline, i.e., up to the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the Nodal Ministry, and the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) is the Nodal Agency for the development of Offshore Wind Energy in India.
Website https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1657882722533.pdf