26 Oct Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore Wind Energy

Context: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is exploring options for leasing blocks for generating power through offshore wind energy projects. 

 About Wind Energy: 

It can be divided into two different categories namely, onshore winds farms (Wind turbines located on land) and offshore wind farms (wind turbines installed on water bodies).

India’s progress of Wind Energy in India: 

• Currently, the Total installed wind power capacity stands at 41.666 GW, which is the fourth-largest wind power capacity in the world. The majority of the commercially exploitable resources are located in seven states: Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. 
• According to the Global Wind Energy Council, India has the potential to generate more than 60GW from the wind.

Pic: India’s progress of Wind Energy in India

Associated benefits of Off-shore wind energy 

1. 1. Consistent generation: Since wind speed over water bodies is consistent, unlike land. Offshore wind farms generate more electricity. 
   2. High capacity utilization factor: Offshore wind farms have a higher capacity utilization factor as compared to onshore wind farms which in turn, allows offshore wind farms to operate for long hours. 
   3. Hassle-free power generation: Owing to isolated locations, there are no physical restrictions such as hills or buildings that could block the flow. 
   4. Increased energy harvest: Since they are located far at sea, they are not intrusive in nature (encroachment of land) allowing for larger farms to be created per square mile. 

Challenges associated with Offshore wind farms: 

1. 1. Costly installation cost: Hard to reach location, stronger-foundation results in high installation cost. 
   2. Impact on marine life: According to various reports, marine life near offshore wind farms decreases due to interference with their habitat. 
   3. Maintenance cost: Speedy high winds during storms damages wind turbines which incur high repairing costs implying taking care of white elephants.

Government initiative regarding wind energy: 

1. 1. National offshore wind energy policy: The policy was notified in 2015 with the objective to develop offshore energy in the Exclusive Economic Zone along the Indian coastline of 7600km. 
   2. National Wind-Solar Hybrid policy: The policy aims to provide a framework for the promotion of a large grid connected to wind-solar hybrid systems for effective and efficient utilization of solar and land resources.

India stands a great chance to leap forward in a net-zero way before the set date.

The government needs to create a climate of comfort by introducing dynamic yet effective policies addressing challenges faced by the industry such as high taxes, lack of sub-sea stations, inadequate infrastructure to reap the benefits of available resources such as long coastline and daylight of 12 hours in states such as Rajasthan and few pockets of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. 

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Source:

The Hindu

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Rishabh