The approval of the national offshore wind energy policy is welcome, but the NDA Government must take note of the potential challenges of such projects, so that India can set its own benchmark in offshore wind energy generation
India has the world’s fifth highest onshore installed wind power capacity that contributes about 65 per cent of the renewable energy capacity. Currently, with over 23 GW of wind energy capacity already installed and generating power, India has a mature onshore wind energy system.
To complement the existing onshore wind energy capability, the NDA Government is giving serious impetus to offshore wind energy generation. The National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, recently announced by the Union Cabinet, aims to provide a never before boost to renewable energy development in the country.
The policy recognises the latent energy potential of India’s 7,600 km coastline. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in association with the National Institute of Wind Energy will allocate blocks and initiate offshore wind energy projects in the country. A synchronised effort by these two departments will help replicate the success scored by India in onshore wind energy sector. Astute execution of the policy will also enable the Government to achieve its wind energy target of 60 GW by 2022.
Advantages of offshore wind energy have helped shape the resolute agenda of the Government, pertaining to renewable energy. Offshore wind generation technology has distinct advantages such as higher wind speed and larger wind resource. Capacity utilisation factor for high-range offshore wind farms is higher than that of onshore technology.
This enables offshore wind power projects to function for longer hours. Additionally, offshore wind projects that are located close to coastal cities are in a better position to cater to the high power demand in a sustainable manner.
According to an offshore wind energy assessment report prepared by Suzlon, a wind energy generation company, wind energy projects off the coastlines of Rameswaram and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu have a potential of one GW each.
These spells relief for many urban areas, dotting the coastline that are currently reeling under power crisis. Recognising the Indian potential, the Global Wind Energy Council is already developing a roadmap for offshore wind in India, with particular focus on Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. This will further help in lending a meaningful implementation to the policy.
The offshore wind energy policy of the Government could not have come at a better time. Currently, the onshore wind energy initiative is passing through a difficult time, as the rate of capacity addition of onshore wind has fallen, due to policy instability and State-specific land acquisition issues. This is where offshore wind will have a positive role to play, provided the inherent challenges and problems are accounted for.
Before the full-fledged implementation of the policy, it is critical to acknowledge the challenges and problems facing the sector. One of the foremost challenges is incorporating increasing amounts of wind energy into the power system, while maintaining economic and reliable operation of the grid.
This is an area of concern not only for India, but also across the world as variability is an inherent characteristic of wind power, that causes uncertainty in addition to variations already existing in electricity demand or the load factor in the grid. Matching two uncertain aspects becomes a real challenge and may limit the development potential of wind power, unless the Government is prepared with adequate solutions. In order to ensure efficient grid integration, the Government must ensure that integration studies, modeling, demonstrations, and assessments at both the transmission and distribution levels are done effectively.
Other potential challenges of offshore wind projects include wind resource characterisation and operation and maintenance of transmission infrastructure. Offshore technology is far more expensive than onshore wind, which raises the cost of generation. The Government must put in place, a policy feature that accounts for these barriers, which if left unchecked, may dissuade potential investors and ultimately lead to initiative failure.
As for India, it is critical to create necessary conditions for long-term growth of the offshore wind sector and reduce investment risks. India must leverage networking with the international renewable energy community to prepare a clear time-bound and quantitative target for offshore wind development and a roadmap to achieve it.
The Government must acquire and maintain corporate confidence by ensuring that the objectives of energy policy are clearly spelt and efficiently implemented. The policy must also encourage a healthy rate of investment that is driven by long-term public-private partnerships.
Globally, offshore wind power is trending impressively. The UK currently leads with installations of 4.2 GW. Similarly, with the help of offshore wind energy, Canberra, Australia, is aiming for 100 per cent renewable energy power grid by 2025. India cannot afford to be left behind and needs to set its own benchmark in offshore wind energy generation.