Indian Govt publish Offshore Wind Strategy Paper
On Friday 8th July 2022, the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy published the “Strategy Paper for Establishment of Offshore Wind Energy Projects”. The Strategy Paper outlines three different models with a view to keep the holistic development of offshore wind in India as well as fast-tracking the process of establishing offshore wind in India to the furthest extent possible
The strategy paper outlines the demarcated offshore energy zones of the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as well as an indicative acution trajectory for the first offshore wind auctions in India based on the three models of development.
The three models specified in the Strategy Paper are as follows:
- Model-1: Demarcated offshore zones for which MNRE/NIWE has carried out studies/surveys. This corresponds to the Gujarat Zone B3 (365 Sq.km).
- Model-2: Demarcated offshore zones for which no studies/surveys have been carried out. This model will be followed for identified wind sites/zones by NIWE within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India for which studies/surveys are yet to be commenced.
- Model-3: Allocation of offshore wind sites under a lease with site exclusivity rights for a fixed period. This model envisages offshore wind project development for sale of power under open access/captive/third party sale without any VGF assistance from the Government of India.
The model-1 and model-2 are envisioned to be carried with the use of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from the Government of India, whereas the proposed sites/zones under model-3 will be carried out with a lease fee and with exclusive rights for project development under open access without VGF.
NIWE will facilitate the institutional mechanism as a single-window clearance (one-stop-shop) and will coordinate with different authorities for stage – 1 and stage – 2 clearances.
Find the full strategy paper here: https://coe-osw.org/strategy-paper-for-establishment-of-offshore-wind-energy-projects/
