Offshore Wind Development in India

The FOWIND Consortium launched a new report today: "Grid Integration Study for Offshore Wind Farm Development in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu". This DNV-GL led study is a significant step forward in preparing a roadmap for the offshore wind sector in India by the GWEC led FOWIND consortium. 

The four-year project aims to put together a roadmap for developing a sustainable and commercially viable offshore wind industry in India. This report addresses the critical issue of how to prepare the state power systems to connect offshore wind projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
The report assesses the elements that are needed in the future design of offshore wind farms to ensure grid integration along with a preliminary evaluation of existing grid infrastructure across the two states. FOWIND is largely focused on early projects and the possibility for providing easy grid access without any significant need for upgrades for the regional or local grids. The study provides the first of its kind overview of the existing grid infrastructure in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The study was prepared in collaboration with the state utilities (GETCO and TANGEDCO) with a focus on integrating offshore wind. 

India has the world's 4th largest onshore wind market with a total installed capacity of over 32.6 GW. However, India does have an acute need for large-scale, clean and indigenous energy generation to fuel its rapidly growing economy. 

Offshore wind power could play a very important role here due to the large wind resources available near centers of high-energy demand. Globally, offshore wind power is becoming increasingly cost-effective with installations close to 14.5 GW at the end of 2016. 

"Offshore wind has taken dramatic steps forward in the past two years, particularly the major established market in Europe where tender prices have dropped by more than 50% in the last 18 months", said Steve Sawyer, GWEC Secretary General. "It's a rapidly maturing technology ready to go global and we expect India to be one of the major beneficiaries."

"For the success of Renewables in general and Offshore Wind specifically it is important that it can be integrated into the grid. Otherwise curtailment will have a massive impact on the LCoE. A strong grid is the backbone of a high renewables generation future", said Mathias Steck, Executive Vice President & Regional Manager Asia Pacific, DNV GL - Energy.

Grid integration of renewables and transfer of energy from the generation points to the load centers has a major role to play in fulfilling current Indian Government's vision of self reliance in the energy sector. Addition and viability of 'offshore MWs' will further add to the pace of achieving those set targets", said Balram Mehta, President Wind & Asset Management at ReNew Power.

This study forms the basis for upcoming offshore wind feasibility assessments being conducted by FOWIND, and gives a better understanding for companies and government institutions as to what is required for developing a successful offshore wind industry in India. The FOWIND consortium aims to complete the preliminary roadmap for offshore wind development in India in 2018.

• Download Full Report here