The renewable energy ministry will push for offshore wind energy projects through a plan that will allow developers to explore seabed areas for setting up units without government aid.
Discussions with stakeholders are underway for the evacuation of power generated through such projects as the infrastructure for transmission will require big investments, officials told ET.
The ministry will call for bids for identified offshore wind energy blocks wherein developers will have to quote a lease fee, said one of officials.
The government is of the view that the cost of offshore wind energy will come down because of technology and infrastructure facilities, making projects viable even without financial support from the government. Currently, offshore wind energy power may cost ₹7-8 per unit in Gujarat, which could come down to around ₹4.5 by 2030, as per an internal assessment by the ministry, the official said.
The estimated price for offshore wind will be competitive in comparison with other sources of power by the given timeline, the person said.
Also, the output from offshore wind projects is much more than that from onshore projects, leading to possibly greater interest from investors.
According to the official, once the blocks are allocated through competitive bidding, developers will conduct surveys for setting up their projects. The power generated from such projects will be allowed to be sold through open access, bilateral ties, and on power exchanges, the official said.
Two schemes for offshore wind projects, wherein viability gap funding (VGF) is planned for 3,000 MW capacity in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, are already in the works and awaiting the finance ministry’s approval, another official said. Offshore wind capacity of about 37 GW is planned to be auctioned till 2030 through VGF and non-VGF schemes, according to a document released by the government earlier.
The government is looking to create a robust supply chain for wind projects, both offshore and onshore, to increase India’s clean energy capacity.
