Ocean Energy gets renewable energy Status

Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy. It has clarified to all stakeholders that energy produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) will be considered as Renewable Energy. The decision will give boost to ocean energy in the country. It will make ocean energy eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).

Background

Ocean energy is currently under-utilized and as on date, India does not have any installed ocean energy capacity. It is mostly exploited through a few technologies including wave, tidal, current energy and ocean thermal energy.

The total identified potential of tidal energy is about 12,455 mega watt (NW), with potential locations identified at Khambat and Kutch regions of Gujarat and large backwaters where barrage technology could be used.

Preliminary estimates also have pegged total potential of wave energy in India along the country’s coast to be about 40,000 MW. OTEC has theoretical potential of 180,000 MW, but it is subject to suitable technological evolution. Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat on west coast of the country also show potential for tidal energy production.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2019