Lok Sabha Question No. 3050 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-12
Subject: Offshore Wind Energy Generation
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3050

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2020

## OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY GENERATION

## 3050. SHRI P. RAVEENDRANATH KUMAR

Will the Minster of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be please to state:

- (a) whether the Government has identified several places for offshore wind energy generations in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  also  estimated  that  the  offshore  wind  energy  has  potential  to generate around 70,000 Megawatt of power in coastal areas of these two states and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any survey in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to develop offshore wind energy projects in Tamil Nadu

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY, POWER and MoS for SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) 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. Maps showing these identified zones are attached as ANNEXURE-I.
- (b) Based on meso scale 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.

(c) & (d) Yes Sir. The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai had commissioned a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) equipment  in  November,  2017  for  measurement  of  wind resource  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. NIWE  has  already  published  a  report  based  on  two  years  of  collected  data  from  the  LiDAR. Further, required geophysical study for an area of about 365 Sq. km has been completed along with geotechnical  studies  for  five  bore  holes  in  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 Gujarat Coast.

(e) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has already allocated required budget to NIWE for installation/Commissioning of three LiDARs off the coast of Tamil Nadu in Gulf of Mannar for carrying out offshore wind measurements at specific locations along with geotechnical investigations.  Installation  of  LiDAR  off  Tamil  Nadu  coast  could  not  be  done  in  April,  2018 because of opposition from local fisherman community.  NIWE has once again initiated the process of getting required clearances from various agencies for alternative locations.

Annexure-I to Loksabha Unstarred question No. 3050 to be answered on 12.03.2020

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Identified offshore wind zones off Gujarat Coast

Identified offshore wind zones off Tamil Nadu Coast

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