The Indian government issued the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy in 2015. Offshore wind energy is still a relatively undeveloped sector in the country, which the strategy hopes to change. Despite a 7,600-kilometer coastline and a 140-gigawatt offshore wind energy potential by 2050, India currently has no offshore wind energy plants in operation. This article will explain to you about the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015 which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- Background

• Wind energy is widely recognised as a reliable and cost-effective renewable energy source around the world.
• While India has made tremendous progress in onshore wind power development, with approximately 24 GW of installed and operational wind energy capacity, offshore wind energy technology has yet to be applied on a large scale.
• The government believes that by announcing this policy, it would encourage the growth of offshore wind energy and bring it up to pace with traditional energy sources.

Offshore Wind Energy

Working

• Offshore wind energy is generated by harvesting the wind's power at sea, where the wind is stronger and more consistent due to the lack of impediments.
• It's a clean, renewable energy source that takes advantage of the wind's force on the high seas.
• Mega-structures, seated on the seabed and outfitted with cutting-edge technology, are used to extract this energy.
• Offshore wind farms can now be built in shallow waters due to current technology (up to a depth of 60m).

Structure of Offshore Wind Turbine

Advantages

• Source of clean and renewable energy (non-polluting and unlimited).
• At sea, the wind blows stronger than on land, and it can generate up to twice the electricity generated by onshore plants.
• Compared to its onshore counterparts, offshore wind energy projects are also quieter and have a smaller visual impact.
• Because it is easier to move the turbine components needed to establish a wind farm offshore, wind turbines with unit powers of around 10 – 15 MW are practical, whereas the maximum unit power on land is roughly 5 MW.
• The United Kingdom, Denmark, and Germany are the world leaders in offshore wind energy development, followed by Belgium, China, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- Objectives

The National Offshore Wind Energy Policies primary objectives are:

• Exploration and promotion of offshore wind farm deployment in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• Encouragement of energy infrastructure investment.
• Through appropriate incentives, promote spatial planning and management of maritime renewable energy resources in India's EEZ.
• Obtaining energy security is a priority.
• Carbon emissions must be reduced.
• Increasing the in-house development of offshore wind energy technology.
• Increasing the number of skilled workers and jobs in the offshore wind energy sector.
• In the offshore wind industry, enabling the development and Operation & Maintenance.
• Creating coastal infrastructure and a supply chain to enable major construction and fabrication work, as well as operations and maintenance.

National Offshore Wind Energy - Global Scenario

• Offshore wind has a nearly two-decade history, with the first offshore wind turbine being installed in Denmark in 1991 and being decommissioned in 2017.
• The total installed capacity is currently around 35.3 GW, with the United Kingdom (10428 MW), China (9996 MW), Germany (7689 MW), Denmark (1701 MW), the Netherlands (2611 MW), Belgium (2261 MW), and Sweden (2261 MW) being the most important (192 MW).
• In the last four years, capacity expansions have accounted for 57 percent of total capacity, with 6358 MW commissioned in 2020, 4679 MW in 2019, 4792 MW in 2018, and 4495 MW in 2017.

Global Wind Energy Market

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- Geographical Coverage And Scope

• This policy document serves as the primary decision-making tool for offshore wind energy development.
• It also includes the establishment of offshore wind power projects and research and development activities, in waters within or adjacent to the country.
• Research and development operations also would be carried out up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- Essential Elements of Development

The most important elements of a policy for offshore wind farm development will include contain:

• Preliminary resource assessments and oceanographic and bathymetric investigations for block demarcation.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of proposed Offshore Wind Farms in terms of aquatic life, fishing, and other users of the sea, as well as studies relating to navigation, undersea mining and related exploration/exploitation activities, and other users of the sea.
• Detailed Research and Surveys: These studies will identify the expenses of unique foundations and customized ships, as well as the costs of operation and maintenance.
• Arrangement for the Lease of a Seabed.
• NOCs and Statutory Clearances
• Grid Connectivity and Power Evacuation (both on and off shore) Technology Incentives
• Offshore installations must be secure, and data generated during investigations and surveys must be kept confidential.
• Insurance and financing.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- Nodal Ministry

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will serve as the Nodal Ministry for Offshore Wind Energy Development in India, as well as one of the government agencies responsible for the development and use of Maritime Space within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• MNRE's role as the nodal ministry will include, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Overall monitoring of the country's offshore wind growth.
  • Collaboration with other Ministries and Departments.
  • Issuing guidelines/directives for offshore wind energy development.
  • Monitor operations and offer required support to the Nodal Agency . National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), to ensure smooth operation.
  • International Cooperation Development.
  • Tariff setting and regulatory issues coordination.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- Other Implementing and Monitoring Agencies

Offshore Wind Energy Steering Committee (OWESC)

• Under the chairmanship of Secretary, MNRE, the Offshore Wind Energy Steering Committee (OWESC) will steer offshore wind energy development in the country by providing policy guidance and overseeing the execution and successful implementation of specific offshore wind energy operations.

Ministry of Shipping /State Maritime Board /State Government

• In the case of major ports, the Ministry of Shipping may provide access to port or port-like facilities with sufficient infrastructural facilities.
• In the case of minor ports, the State Government or State Maritime Board may provide access to port or port-like facilities with sufficient infrastructural facilities to enable heavy construction, fabrication, and O&M activities at seashore, from which it will be moved offshore to the wind farm site.
• Enlisting the services of the various Central Government or State Government Agencies may incur a specified charge.

Central and State Transmission Utility

• Onshore evacuation and grid connectivity will be handled by the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) and/or the State Transmission Utility (STU).
• The evacuation infrastructure will also be tested and certified by the CTU/STU.
• Concerned STUs/State Governments may be able to support the allocation of land on the beach near wind farm sites to allow for the construction of substations to evacuate electricity generated by offshore wind farms.

Offshore Wind Energy- Security

• The developer/operator will be responsible for the security of the offshore wind energy installations, which will need a vulnerability assessment.
• In addition, the developer must show proof of full insurance coverage for the installations.
• Offshore Defence Advisory Group (HQODAG) is the primary agency for concerns pertaining to the defense of offshore establishments within the country's maritime zones.
• HQODAG advises the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Shipping, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation on all planning and policy aspects of offshore security and defense, including territorial waters, the continental shelf, the Exclusive Economic Zone, and other Maritime Zones of the country.
• In cooperation with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Directorate General of Shipping will publish a notification designating an offshore wind farm as a restricted area.

Offshore Wind Energy- Incentives

• Fiscal incentives, as well as involvement in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs), and international collaborations, may be used to encourage the development of offshore wind generation.
• Onshore wind generation projects may be eligible for tax and financial incentives.
• Offshore wind power projects will also have access to this funding.
• Furthermore, the government may encourage the bundling of power generated by offshore wind power projects with conventional power, if unallocated conventional power is available, in order to reduce the cost of power generated and improve acceptability.

Conclusion

India has a pressing need for large-scale, indigenous, and environmentally friendly energy generation. India, as a fast-developing country, increasingly demands secure access to modern energy sources to reduce poverty and improve health, increase productivity and competitiveness, and promote economic progress. Approximately 300 million people in the country still do not have access to electricity. Furthermore, rising climate change worries, along with a desire to promote energy independence, are encouraging authorities to examine new energy generation choices. As a result, the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy serves as an answer.