NIWE presented the initial project structure and findings as well as the results of the stakeholder dialogue conducted over the past year. The participants was invited to provide their comments and feedback to the initial project proposal, including current proposals and concerns to be included the next steps of the development for the Dhanuskodi Test Centre.
During the workshop, NIWE underlined the division but also the clear synergies between the project development of the Dhanuskodi Test Centre and the current project development of the “Greening of Rameswaram” that is being undertaken by the Government of India. In this regard, participants was clearly invited to exhibit their interest in both projects and how they saw both links and divisions between the projects.
As part of the workshop, DTU provided their experience based on the Østerild Test Centre in Denmark as well as their recommendations based on the stakholder dialogue as well as an on-site assessment made at the proposed site for the Dhanuskodi Test Centre on 11th October 2022.
If you wish to engage further in the dialogue on the project development of the Dhanuskodi Test Centre, please contact Shri N. Rajkumar (rajkumar@niwe.res.in).
Background on the National Test Centre for Offshore Wind Turbines at Dhanuskodi
Dhanushkodi is located, around 20 km away from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, India, and is the nearest land point from India to Sri Lanka. In 2013, NIWE installed a 100 m height meteorological mast in the southern tip of Dhanushkodi. From 2013-2018, the met mast recorded a mean wind speed of 8.36 m/s and a monthly average above 6 m/s on a year round basis. In so, the wind conditions as well as the flat terrain at Dhanuskodi was deemed optimal for a National Test Centre for Offshore Wind Turbines
For defining the full scope and objective of the National Test Centre for Offshore Wind Turbines at Dhanuskodi, NIWE launched a questionnaire survey in 2021 to know the views of all stakeholders in the offshore wind energy development in India with respect to availing services related Testing and Certification of Wind engineering assets by using the facility to be developed at Dhanuskodi. Based on this questionnaire, a series of interviews has been conducted with a range of stakeholders across the onshore and offshore wind industry to gain a thorough understanding of the best project structure and development plan.