India to introduce policies to expand wind power generation

India that has a coastline spread across 7,500km, is seeking to utilize the largely untapped wind resources through the advancement of offshore wind energy,

New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah announced that the ministry had constituted a steering committee for offshore wind energy to strategically develop the offshore wind sector.

The expert committee, following deliberation, suggested places such as Gujarat, Kanyakumari, Kerala-Konkan and Rameshwaram as possible locations to set up offshore wind farms.

A sub-committee, led by Tamil Nadu Electricity Boar’s chairman, was earlier assigned the task of drafting policy guidelines to develop wind energy in India, reported The Hindu Business Line.

Abdullah was quoted by the news agency as saying that the sub-committee submitted its report in September 2012.

As per the report’s findings, wind farms can be built 12 nautical miles from the coast in shallow waters.

Abdullah further sought the creation of a National Offshore Wind Authority that approves licenses for such farms.

"We are taking help from Denmark, England and Germany who have developed offshore wind farms," Abdullah said.

According to the Minister, the ministry is considering a project proposed by Suzlon.

"Apart from the presence of a policy, the implementation of offshore wind energy projects also depends upon firming of the wind resource, oceanographic studies, environmental impact assessment and various clearance required for such project," Abdullah added.