India Plans Demonstration Offshore Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will install four to five 6MW offshore wind turbines at Arichamunai in the state of Tamil Nadu, according to The Hindu. The wind turbines will be set up as a demonstration facility and the investment to build the project and put it into operation would cost around ₹300 crore (approx. EUR 37.4 million). 

The project still needs approvals from several ministries and state agencies. However, MNRE Joint Secretary Bhanu Pratap Yadav does not expect any difficulties in obtaining the necessary permissions, and the project is likely to take off with the development in the coming six months.

Before commencing the development, MNRE will carry out an environmental impact study.

The wind farm would serve to demonstrate the region’s offshore wind potential to interested renewable energy players and to spur O&M and other activities that have an impact on the economy.

Earlier this month, the FOWIND consortium issued feasibility reports for offshore wind development in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The reports are said to provide companies and government institutions with a starting point for future detailed offshore Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies and assists with the identification of key project risks in the two areas.