Government mulling National Offshore Wind Energy Agency

NEW DELHI: To explore the potential of generating power through wind energy, New and Renewable Energy Ministry is making efforts for setting up a National Offshore Wind Energy Agency.

The agency will explore wind generation potential in the offshore areas of the country.

"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," New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah said.

He was speaking during a day-long "National Level Consultation on National Wind Energy Mission" here.

Abdullah also expressed hope that the Finance Ministry will restore the benefits of accelerated depreciation for wind power producers in the Interim Budget to be presented next month.

The Minister also supported the idea of appropriate financial support to the wind power producers.

The national consultation was organised by the ministry to discuss the need and scope of a National Wind Energy Mission.

The mission works towards improving investment climate by resolving issues connected with resource potential, land availability, grid connectivity, clearance procedure and zoning.

This initiative is part of the efforts of the ministry to remove hurdles in wind power development in the country and bring together all stakeholders on a common platform to work in a coordinated and concerted manner, officials said.

The consultation was attended by industry representatives, state electricity regulators, state and central government officials and research and development experts.

Secretary, MNRE S B Agnihotri also highlighted the importance of setting up an evacuation infrastructure and short-term large scale storage facilities for the renewable energy.

He also stressed on the need for making long term finance available at reasonable rate for the wind power producers.