Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh on Thursday approved a proposal to declare ocean energy as renewable energy.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has clarified to all stakeholders that energy produced using various forms of ocean energy, such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion, shall be considered as renewable energy and shall be eligible for meeting non-solar renewable purchase obligations (RPO), a statement by the MNRE said.
This step has been taken by the MNRE after some renewable energy developers sought clarification in this regard, according to the statement.
Under the RPO, distribution companies (discoms) are required to have certain proportion of clean energy supplies. The proportion is fixed by state power regulators. The discoms can also buy renewable energy certificates in lieu of mandated clean energy supplies, from the developers or renewable power generators.
Oceans cover 70 per cent of the earth’s surface and represent an enormous amount of energy in the form of wave, tidal, marine current and thermal gradient.
A variety of different technologies are currently under development throughout the world to harness this energy in all its forms.
Deployment is currently limited but the sector has the potential to grow, fuelling economic growth, reducing carbon footprint and creating jobs not only along the coasts but also inland along its supply chains.
As India steps up its effort to contemplate its renewable energy and climate change objectives after 2022, it is opportune to explore all possible avenues to stimulate innovation, create economic growth and new jobs as well as to reduce our carbon footprint, the statement said.