Makarand Gadgil

What are the advantages off-shore wind power generation over on-shore?

The biggest advantage is that it eliminates the possibility of wind getting obstructed due to high rises, natural or man made structures, thus improving the plant load factor when compared to onshore projects.  The Scottish experience shows that PLF has increased from around 30 per cent to between 40 and 50 per cent. Secondly, it does away with problems like right of way, possessing land for putting up the project, and I believe land is an issue also in India. However, one has to take care that the site does not obstruct traditional maritime and naval channels. But that is an easier task!

Considering the high costs involved in setting up offshore wind power station and transmitting it to the mainland, how economically feasible is it?

Yes, cost is an issue and in the initial stages, the government will have to do the handholding either with higher feed-in tariffs or subsidies as the offshore station can cost 1.5 – 2 times ore than onshore wind sites. In the UK, a 1 Mw onshore wind power station can be set up at the cost of GBP 1-1.5 million, whereas offshore station can require capital of GBP 2.5-3 million. However, as technology progresses and more interest is generated we can achieve economies of scale. Recently, UK licensed out sites with a potential for 32 Mw, which shows there is interest from the investors. As of now they get both benefits – of tariff at GBP 39/Mwh and also renewable energy certificate which are traded at around GBP 49, which is a good return on investment.

 How can Scotland help India in realising its potential for offshore wind?

My visit to India is aimed at exploring the possibilities of cooperation between Scottish government, companies, universities and other academic institutions and their Indian counterparts. During my visit I attended a seminar organised by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology and offered to share expertise in carrying out studies to assess India’s potential for offshore wind energy and how it can exploited as Scotland today has the largest offshore wind power generation site of 5 Mw and out of the 80 odd Mw potential across Europe, Scotland accounts for 25 per cent.

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