RWE and Tata Power have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the potential for joint development of offshore wind projects in India.
The MoU is between offshore wind developer RWE Renewables and Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated energy companies.
India is a “new and extremely attractive” market for the development of offshore wind farms with its approximately 7600 km of coastline.
The Indian government has announced a goal of 30GW of offshore wind by 2030 to meet the country’s growing energy needs and is conducting detailed technical studies and creating the regulatory framework to conduct the first auctions for offshore wind off the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
To enable the establishment of an offshore wind market in India, RWE and Tata Power Renewable Energy will carry out technical and commercial site analyses.
In addition, the companies will carry out an assessment of India’s offshore wind supply chain and supporting infrastructure, such as ports and grid connections, to identify local strengths and necessary development potential.
Tata Power CEO and managing director Praveer Sinha said: “With its global expertise in the realisation and operation of offshore wind projects, RWE is our ideal partner to support Tata Power’s plans to expand its offshore wind business.
“Given that the Indian government is increasingly relying on offshore wind to meet the country’s growing demand for electricity, cooperation is becoming even more important.”
RWE Renewables offshore wind chief executive Sven Utermöhlen added: “India has excellent wind resources that can help meet the country’s increasing energy demand.
“If clear regulations and an effective tendering system are in place, we expect the Indian offshore wind industry to experience a real boom. RWE wants to participate in this development.”