Tata Power, RWE to study potential for offshore wind farms in India

Tata Power is joining forces with German energy company RWE to explore the possibility of joint development of offshore wind farms in India.

The companies’ respective subsidiaries Tata Power Renewable Energy and RWE Renewables have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard.

According to Tata Power, when it comes to offshore wind, India is yet to be explored and is a highly attractive market to develop opportunities for renewable energy technology as it has a vast coastline of nearly 7,600km.

Sven Utermöhlen — RWE Renewables Wind Offshore CEO said: “India has excellent wind resources, which can help to meet the country’s increasing energy demands.

“If clear regulations and an effective tender scheme are in place, we expect India’s offshore wind industry will gain a real momentum. RWE wants to be part of this development.”

Tata Power signs MoU with Germay-based RWE to study potential for offshore wind farms in India. Photo courtesy of Tata Power.

The MoU between Tata Power Renewable Energy and RWE Renewables is in line with the Indian government’s announcement of seeing 30GW of installed offshore wind capacity by the end of this decade to meet the rising electricity demands of India.

Dr Praveer Sinha — CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power said: “RWE is our ideal partner to support Tata Power’s plans to enhance and grow offshore wind business based on its global expertise in running and operating offshore wind projects.

“In view of the Indian Government’s heightened focus on offshore wind farms to address the country’s expanding electricity demands, the collaboration becomes even more significant.”

The government of India is in the process of carrying out detailed technical studies and creating the regulatory framework to establish the first auctions for offshore wind off the Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts. For facilitating the establishment of an offshore wind market in India, Tata Power Renewable Energy and RWE Renewables plan to undertake technical and commercial site assessments.

Additionally, the partners will assess the Indian offshore wind supply chain and supporting infrastructure, which include ports and grid connections, in order to identify the local strengths and the required development potential.