Approximately 36 GW offshore wind power potential exists off the coast of Gujarat and 31 GW off the coast of Tamil Nadu, India, MNRE Minister RK Singh has said.
Based on the preliminary studies carried out by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) in collaboration with various multilateral agencies, the Government has identified eight zones each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as potential offshore wind energy zones, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh has said.
Answering a question raised in the Lok Sabha, the minister said that “based on mesoscale mapping, it is estimated that, approximately 36 Giga Watt (GW) offshore wind power potential exists off the coast of Gujarat and 31 GW offshore wind power potential exists off the coast of Tamil Nadu.”
Further adding that the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai had commissioned a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) equipment in November 2017 for measurement of wind resources off the coast of Gujarat. Wind measurement data collection for two years has been completed and also validated with a ground-mounted wind monitoring station at Jafrabad, Gujarat.
Further, it required a geophysical study for an area of about 365 sq. km has been completed along with geotechnical studies for five bore holes in the Gulf of Khambhat, off Gujarat Coast. A rapid Environment Impact Assessment study has also been conducted through the National Institute of Oceanography for proposed one GW offshore wind energy project off the Gujarat Coast.