The FOWIND Consortium has released pre-feasibility reports (PFRs) for offshore wind development in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
The reports identify key offshore areas where detailed wind resource assessment should take place off the coasts of the two states.
“This is a key first step in identifying sites for offshore wind development, and we are pleased to have made this contribution towards India’s development of this clean, indigenous renewable energy resource”, said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of FOWIND lead partner Global Wind Energy Council. “The next step is actual wind measurements on site.”
These studies will form the basis for future offshore wind feasibility investigations, while at the same time supporting companies and government institutions in developing a better understanding of typical offshore wind project considerations. FOWIND project partner DNV GL has taken the lead on the technical aspects, and partners World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE) and Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) engaged with multiple state agencies of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to collect the required data and information. A number of key constraints have been identified, combining both technological barriers and spatial conflicts. Known constraint parameters were modelled to identify eight potential development zones in Gujarat, and eight in Tamil Nadu. As one of the key parameters a meso-scale wind resource map was modelled by DNV GL. Zone identification was followed by a preliminary wind farm design for each zone.
“Offshore wind presents many challenges, but the potential rewards are great”, said Mathias Steck, Sr. VP & Regional Manager, Asia Pacific Energy & Renewables Advisory for DNV GL. “There is a lot to learn from the European experience in offshore wind, but there are also uniquely Indian challenges and opportunities to consider.”
“The pre- feasibility reports for Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are key deliverables of the FOWIND project and provide a solid basis for all future works in the off shore wind sector in India,” said Dr. Johann Hesse, Counsellor, European Union Delegation to India. “The EU being the world leader on offshore wind technologies is committed to support India to advance its efforts in promoting renewable power generation from the off-shore waters”.
In the next phase, the FOWIND project will deploy Light Detection and Ranging (LIDARs) instruments at sites identified in the pre-feasibility studies. This detailed data acquisition; resource analysis and validation of available data is a key step in laying the groundwork for the development of the sector.