National Offshore Wind Energy Policy

While onshore wind energy technologies have become competitive with fossil fuel based electricity with supportive policy regimes across the world, exploitation of offshore wind energy is yet to reach a comparable scale.
in india, we have 24GW of wind energy capacity already installed and generating power. trying to replicate this success in offshore sector as well. in the whole world, about 8.7 GW capacity has been installed.

OBJECTIVES


* To Explore and Promote Deployment of Offshore Wind Farms in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including those under Public Private Partnership.
* To Promote Investment in Energy Infrastructure & Achieve Energy Security
* To Promote Spatial Planning and Management of Maritime Renewable Energy Resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone
* To Reduce Carbon Emissions.
* To Encourage Indigenization of the Offshore Wind Energy Technology 
* To Create Skilled Manpower and Employment in this sector


Developments in India

Wind resource data collected for the coastline of Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Coast shows reasonable potential. preliminary assessment shows potential to establish around 1 GW capacity wind farm each along the coastline of Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.

WHERE CAN THESE PLANTS BE BUILT

1. Territorial waters
2. Exclusive Economic Zone [ beyond the 12 nm limit and up to 200 nm]


CHALLENGES

* Relates to resource characterisation
* turbine foundation
* grid interconnection and operation
* development of transmission infrastructure
* coastal security during construction and operation period


Essential Elements of Development of Offshore Wind Energy

* Preliminary Resource Assessment and preliminary oceanographic & bathymetric studies for demarcation of blocks 
* Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study of proposed Offshore Wind Farms regarding aquatic life, fishing etc studies relating to navigation, undersea mining and related exploitation activities
* Detailed studies & surveys
* Grid Connectivity and Evacuation of Power (both offshore and onshore) 
* Technology
* Incentives
* Financing & Insurance
* Security of offshore installations 


ACTUAL POLICY

* Min of New & Renewable Energy [MNRE] is nodal ministry
* National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) will be Nodal Agency 
* NIWE will accept applications for Clearances/NOCs - will act as facilitator only
* there will be a Offshore Wind Energy Steering Committee under Secretary of MNRE: Will steer the offshore wind energy development by providing policy guidance and will oversee the execution and effective implementation
* Ministry of Shipping /State Maritime Board /State Government will provide access to port infrastructure
* Central and State Transmission Utility will undertake onshore evacuation and grid connectivity
* Processes will have to be cleared out from naval operations point of view
* offer of blocks will be made through an open International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process
* fiscal incentives, allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) participation, Public Private Partnership, and international collaborations 

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

The new scheme of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), recently approved by the Union Government draws its inspiration from the similar pioneering scheme implemented by the Government of Gujarat. This scheme will enable to initiate much awaited reforms in the rural areas. It focuses on feeder separation (rural households & agricultural) and strengthening of sub-transmission & distribution infrastructure including metering at all levels in rural areas. This will help in providing round the clock power to rural households and adequate power to agricultural consumers .The earlier scheme for rural electrification viz. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has been subsumed in the new scheme as its rural electrification component


Components:

The major components of the scheme are feeder separation; strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network; Metering at all levels (input points, feeders and distribution transformers); Micro grid and off grid distribution network & Rural electrification- already sanctioned projects under RGGVY to be completed.

Budgetary Support:

The full scheme entails an investment of Rs 43,033 crore which includes the requirement of budgetary support of Rs. 33,453 crore from GOI over the entire implementation period. All Discoms including private Discoms and State Power Departments are eligible for financial assistance under this Scheme. Discoms will prioritize strengthening of rural infrastructure work considering specific network requirement and will formulate Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of the projects for coverage under the Scheme. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is the Nodal Agency for operationalization of this Scheme. It will furnish monthly progress reports on the implementation of the scheme indicating both financial and physical progress to Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority .

Monitoring Committee:

The Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Power) will approve the projects and also monitor implementation of the scheme. Suitable Tripartite Agreement will be executed between REC as the Nodal Agency on behalf of Ministry of Power, the State Government and the Discom to ensure implementation of the scheme in accordance with the guidelines prescribed under the scheme. Bipartite agreement will be executed in case of State Power departments.

Execution Period:

Projects under this Scheme will be completed within a period of 24 months from the date of issue of Letter of Awards by the utility.

Funding Mechanism:

Grant portion of the Scheme is 60% for other than special category States (up to 75% on achievement of prescribed milestones) and 85% for special category States (up to 90% on achievement of prescribed milestones). The milestones for the additional grant are: timely completion of the scheme, reduction in AT&C losses as per trajectory and upfront release of subsidy by State govt. All North Eastern States including Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand are included in special category States.