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Tamil Nadu is just months away from the first tender for 500MW offshore wind energy. National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) is expected to float the tenders by March 2025. But it is behind Gujarat by at least a year in initiatives to tap offshore wind power, establishing infrastructure and laying under-sea cables to connect to the onshore grid.

Though the delay is mostly attributed to the Centre, which is driving the initial 1GW offshore power project 鈥� 500MW each for Gujarat and TN 鈥� the state needs to push its case for faster implementation. Besides formulating an offshore wind energy policy, the govt could reach out to coastal communities to allay fears and enlist them in this effort that offers substantial employment.

The estimate is that 70GW of offshore wind energy can be tapped off the Gujarat and TN coasts. Union govt plans to develop 37GW-38GW of offshore wind farms , that could cost 4.5 lakh crore, through investment from multiple sources.

Of course, there are both positive and negative narratives about offshore wind power with some saying India has vast tracts of land and should go for solar and onshore wind projects. But prices have gone up 10-15 times for prime wind and solar areas and it is not easy to acquire land. The right of way for transporting turbines and blades is another area of concern.

The right of way issue and land issue completely dissipate when it comes to offshore wind. And the pay load factor (PLF) estimate for offshore wind power in Tamil Nadu is 60 Percent to 65 Percent , much higher than the 30 Percent -40 Percent for onshore.

鈥淭N is uniquely positioned for offshore wind energy generation. The wind is a lot stronger here than in Gujarat. Wind speeds of 7-8 m/sec, going up to 10 m/sec and guaranteed for 9-10 months a year make it similar to conditions in Europe. The tunnel effect due to Sri Lankan coast allows wind to come in and also protects the area from major cyclonic disturbances,鈥� says Srijith Menon, head 鈥� green business, Aban Power Ltd.

Investors see TN as a better option. 鈥淭amil Nadu is already a pioneer when it comes to wind energy. This is the 鈥榢arma bhoomi鈥� of wind, which means the supply chain 鈥� turbine, tower and component manufacturers 鈥� is already there. Offshore is a new opportunity to transition.鈥�

Of course, the engineering involved will be different. If Tamil Nadu can fully tap its offshore wind energy potential, it can replace existing thermal power plants for base power. That will be a significant cut in carbon emission. Imagine an entire state being run on renewable power 24x7.

Experts say NIWE has just begun preparing wind data for TN with specific information such as accurate wind speed, duration. Gujarat already has this. 鈥淲hat we have now is just the satellite data, which is not sufficient for investors to go ahead. Data has to be collected for two seasons, comprising six months each, by engaging floating systems to identify the vantage points to erect windmills. Only after that can tenders can be floated,鈥� says a private wind forecaster.

At a recent industry conference, Rajesh Katyal, director-general, NIWE, sought to allay fears over viability gap funding and infrastructure. Lessons learned from the first 1GW projects will be implemented in subsequent phases, he says.

The contract has already been awarded to the Power Grid Corporation to erect a transmission network for 500MW, says Anil Kumar Meena, general manager of central transmission utility. Procuring sub-sea cables will be challenge as there were no manufacturers in India, he says.

But transitioning to manufacturing shouldn鈥檛 be difficult with the state鈥檚 existing ecosystem for engineering design and manufacturing. 鈥淎lready, international companies such as Denmark鈥檚 Cowi operate out of Chennai with over 250 engineers designing offshore structures for the US and other markets,鈥� says Francis Jayasurya, director - India, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Union govt wants to create a separate transmission network to evacuate power from offshore, but the state wants to use Tangedco鈥檚 infrastructure as it already has 765kVA transmission network. 鈥淔rom the state, what has to be done has been done. We have signed an agreement with the Union govt to purchase power at 4 per unit. Wind data compilation and ports development are the prerogative of the Union govt,鈥� says Aneesh Sekhar, MD, TN Green Energy Corporation.