MNRE Looks to Develop Pipavav, Tuticorin Ports for Offshore Wind

Wind Industry Experts Bat For Extending PLI For Component Makers 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will soon share a proposal with the Ministry of Shipping. The proposal will look at the development of the ports in Gujarat (Pipavav) and Tamil Nadu (Tuticorin). The aim will be to handle offshore wind project cargo.

Under the ambit of MNRE, The National Institute of Wind Energy, (NIWE), which focuses on the development of wind energyhas has already conducted its research study on the activities that is to be undertaken at these ports.

The said plan was shared on the platform of the second UK India Offshore Wind Summit. At the summit, held by the UK government and the Global Wind Energy Council, it was further revealed that establishment of Pipavav port would cost Rs 622 crore while the cost of building Tuticorin would be Rs 732 crore. It is yet to be decided whether these upcoming projects will be government-funded or proposed before the World Bank.

It may be noted that there tenders in the offing for ‘seabed lease’. The first is for 4 GW of projects off Tamil Nadu coast. Another tender for 1 GW off Gujarat coast is also expected.

A report called ‘Capability Assessment of India’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain’,  was also released on the platform. The study has been carried out by a consultancy known as MEC Intelligence, and UK government’s Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. As per the report, the “new port side investment” would be anywhere between Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore.

Alexander Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said that he belongs from “a small, crowded, windy island” that holds good potential for offshore wind, while adding that the United Kingdom UK has learnt well about offshore wind energy, with regards to research, supply chain and “what works and what doesn’t work”. He said that India and UK could work together in offshore wind, “through its investments, companies, researches, systems, can share and learn together.”

He said that the Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts are promising when it comes to offshore wind and concluded, “it is massively in the UK’s interests that India grows its offshore wind industry.”