The MNRE strategy paper outlines the bidding trajectory of 37 GW capacity till 2030 for offshore wind projects
Representative photo from iStock A report titled Evaluation of Wind Energy in India was considered and adopted by the Standing Committee on Energy at their parliamentary sitting held on July 20, 2023.
The Twenty-Seventh Report of the evaluation was presented to the Lok Sabha on August 2, 2022 and was laid on the table of the Rajya Sabha on the same day. The Ministry of New and Energy (MNRE)’s replies to the observations and recommendations were received on April 24, 2023.
The MNRE stated that it had revised the ‘Policy for Repowering of the Wind Power Projects’ issued on August 5, 2016 and it had been circulated for stakeholders’ comments on October 17, 2022.
“As it has been more than nine months since the policy was circulated for stakeholders’ comments, the ministry should get the revised policy approved as early as possible and ensure its timely implementation to achieve the objectives in this regard,” the Committee said.
The committee suggested replacing old and less efficient wind turbines with efficient, technologically advanced ones, especially since the majority of the wind sites in the country have already been exploited to their full extent.
Based on this recommendation and consultation with relevant stakeholders, the draft policy’s main objective is that wind energy should be optimally utilised by maximising energy 9 (kWh) yield per sq km of the project area. It also emphasised the latest state-of-the-art onshore turbine technologies will be used.
Metals such as steel, iron/cast iron, aluminum, copper, etc, will constitute about 87 per cent of the material used to manufacture wind turbine components. The rest of the 10-13 per cent of the materials will have fiberglass, resin and plastic. The wind turbine blades will be made up of Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP).
The policy also recognised waste disposal as an issue. It mentioned that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued ‘Guidelines for Disposal of Thermoset Plastic Waste including Sheet molding compound (SMC)/Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)’ on May 25, 2016.
Most of the wind energy potential of the country is available in only eight states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
The National Institute of Wind Energy has estimated repowering potential of the country to be 25,406 Megawatts (MW) considering wind turbines below the capacity of 2 MW.
Furthermore, the Ministry has issued a ‘Strategy Paper for Offshore Wind Development’. It was prepared after consulting stakeholders in July 2022.
The strategy includes a bidding trajectory of 37 Gigawatts capacity till 2030 along with three business models for offshore wind energy project development. The Committee had asked the ministry to furnish further information on this.
“A concept note for a Viability Gap Funding scheme of Rs 15,608.65 crore for 3 GW capacity of offshore wind energy projects has been sent to Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, for ‘in-principle’ approval,” the report stated.
Transmission infrastructure has been planned by the Central Transmission Utility for offshore wind projects initially for 5 GW each off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coast, the report indicated.
Additionally, on November 14, 2022, the ministry issued draft tender documents and contractual agreements for the allocation of sea-bed lease rights for offshore wind power projects. The stakeholders’ comments received are still under review.
The ministry issued National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy on May 14, 2018. So far, 19 hybrid projects amounting to 5,420 MW capacity have been awarded under hybrid bids, out of which projects of 1,440 MW have been already commissioned by October 31, 2022.
“Ministry has issued bidding guidelines for wind-solar hybrid projects on 14.10.2020 and amended on 23.07.2021, 09.03.2022 and 02.11.2022,” the MNRE’s reply stated.
Further, Solar Energy Corporation of India has been awarded hybrid power generation projects from both wind and solar along with energy storage. Of which, 400 MW capacity is for round-the-clock power and 1200 MW capacity to provide peak power supply.
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