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MoU signed for first off-shore wind power project in India

October 7: A memorandum of understanding (MoU), involving a number of stakeholders for floating a joint venture company (JVC) towards setting up the first demonstration offshore wind power project of about 100 MW in the country along the Gujarat coast was signed on October 1, an official release said.

The MoU was signed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), and a 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) in the presence of Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Goyal described it as a great opportunity in the development of renewable energy resources in the country.

Considering the country’s 7,600 km long coastline, Goyal stated that opportunities for scaling up are humongous. The minister also suggested building partnerships with Defence, shipping and the coastguard department to ensure a seamless and time-bound approval process.

The joint venture company will undertake a detailed feasibility study based on the inputs received from pre-feasibility reports and take necessary steps for implementation of the first offshore demonstration wind power project in India.

Being the first demonstration offshore wind project in the country, it will certainly provide enough learning to move into this sector by taking up similar viable projects in the future, enabling India to enter the club of countries already in the business of offshore wind power generation.

Wind power development from onshore projects has reached commercial stage in India and is the fastest growing renewable energy option today.