Union Cabinet approved National Offshore Wind Energy Policy 2015

The Union Cabinet gave its approval for the maiden National Offshore Wind Energy Policy.The focus of the policy is to harness offshore wind energy potential in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ is an area up to 200 nautical miles from the coast.

Features of National Offshore Wind Energy Policy

• Developing offshore wind energy potential in India’s EEZ
• To promote investment in the Energy Infrastructure.
• To Reduce Carbon Emissions.
• To Encourage Indigenization of the Offshore Wind Energy Technology.
• To Promote Research and Development in the Offshore Wind Energy Sector.
• To Create Skilled Manpower and Employment in a new industry

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry for the implementation of the policy.The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) is the nodal agency for execution of offshore wind energy projects.The policy will be applicable throughout the country depending upon offshore wind potential availability.

Significance of the policy

India has high offshore wind energy potential along the coastline of 7600 km. This maiden policy is the right direction to undertake comprehensive measures for the development of this sector.The policy is also multi-faceted in the sense that it seeks to achieve energy security, development of indigenous technologies in the offshore wind energy sector and achieving environment sustainability.

The policy will also help in creating employment opportunities in coastal states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka where the offshore wind potential is high.India has achieved significant success in the onshore wind power development, with over 23 GW of wind energy capacity already installed and generating power.