India is pushing to form an agency for the offshore wind energy development.
As the country’s onshore sites are filling up, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy hopes India will turn to its seas to develop offshore wind power.
Speaking at a national level consultation on India’s wind energy initiative, held last week, Minister Abdullah said: “The potential of generating power through wind energy in the offshore areas is immense and the Ministry will approach the Union Cabinet soon for a decision.“
The consultation was held to discuss the need and scope of a National Wind Energy Mission. This initiative is part of efforts to bring together all stakeholders on a common platform while removing hurdles in wind power development.
India has already installed around 20GW of onshore wind power, thus attracting about USD 16.5 billion a year in investment.
Offshore WIND staff, January 13, 2014; Image: flickr