Ocean waves to be a source of renewable energy in India

NEW DELHI: R K Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has accepted a proposal to proclaim the use of tides and waves to generate electricity as a renewable energy.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said that the recognition of the generation source will help boost the use of ocean energy in the country.

According to the ministry, tidal energy holds a potential to provide a capacity of as much as 12,455 MW in locations within the Khambat and Kutch regions. Wave energy can potentially add 40,000 MW of capacity, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is estimated to be 180,000 MW. The government mentions this as “technological evolution.”

The Indian government has made increased efforts to build new renewable energy infrastructure in the country, and there have been mixed reports regarding the country achieving its 2030 climate change goals.

As per the statement released by the government, it is discovering all possible paths to stimulate innovation, boost job creation and economic growth and reduce the country’s carbon emissions. The statement states, “Energy produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversation etc. shall be considered as renewable energy and shall be eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).”