MNRE invite views from stakeholders on the draft Guidelines for “Offshore Wind Power Assessment Studies and Surveys by Private Players” by 6th October, 2017

With a view to develop offshore wind power in the country, Government notified
National Offshore Wind Energy Policy in October, 2015 (available at http://mnre.gov.in/file-
manager/UserFiles/National-Offshore-Wind-Energy-Policy-Gazzette-notification.pdf )
2. The Policy provides for carrying out of preliminary wind resource assessment,
oceanographic & bathymetric surveys, etc., by NIWE for demarcation of offshore wind
power blocks. In addition, interested private players having proven expertise in offshore
studies and surveys may be granted permissions on case to case basis to collect data and have
shared ownership on it with NIWE. Policy authorizes NIWE to issue detailed Guidelines in
this regard.
3. Accordingly, with a view to encourage private participation in offshore studies and
surveys, the draft guideline for Offshore Wind Power Assessment Studies and Surveys by
Private Players have been prepared and being placed on the website of the Ministry for
comments/suggestions/views of the stakeholders.
4. The comments/suggestions/views on the draft Policy may please be sent through
email (preferably in word format) by 6
th October, 2017 to Shri P K Dash, Scientist-C at
prabir.dash@nic.in.

Draft Guidelines for Offshore Wind Power Assessment Studies and Surveys by Private Players

Government of India notified National Offshore Wind Energy Policy-2015 on 6
October 2015 for the development of offshore wind power in India. Policy provides for
offshore wind power development up to the seaward distance of 200 nautical miles from the
base line i.e. up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country. Ministry of New &
Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the Nodal Ministry and National Institute of Wind Energy
(NIWE) is the Nodal Agency for the development of Offshore Wind Energy in India.
2. The Policy provides for carrying out of preliminary wind resource assessment,
oceanographic & bathymetric surveys, etc., by NIWE for demarcation of offshore wind
power blocks. In addition, interested private players having proven expertise in offshore
studies and surveys may be granted permissions on case to case basis to collect data and have
shared ownership on it with NIWE. Policy authorizes NIWE to issue detailed Guidelines in
this regard.
3. Accordingly, with a view to encourage private participation in offshore studies and
surveys, following guidelines are proposed to be issued:
(i) Private surveyors/ developers having proven expertise in offshore studies and
surveys who are desirous of collecting wind resource data together with
oceanographic and bathymetric data at specific locations are required to apply
with the details of the site to Group Head,WRA&O Unit, NIWE, Chennai.
Such application will be registered by NIWE on a non-refundable payment of
Rs.1.0 lakh + GST as applicable per site. In case, the companies want to
outsource the activity through any other agency/body, they have to furnish
necessary documents to establish the credentials of such agency/body,
experience, expertise etc. NIWE’s team may visit the site for verification
during the period of measurement.
(ii) In addition, the above mentioned private surveyors/developer will also have to
apply for in-principle NOCs/clearances from the following Ministries /
Departments:
a. Ministry of Defence (ref. Annexure 1(A) to 1(L))
b. Department of Space
c. Ministry of Home Affairs(ref. Annexure 1(M) & 1(N))
d. Ministry of External Affairs
e. State Maritime Board
f. State Coastal Zone Management Authority / Ministry of Environment &
Forests and Climate Change, as the case may be (ref MoEF&CC website)
g. Any other relevant Ministries / Institutions required from time to time in
addition to the Ministries listed above.
The applications as per prescribed formats/guidelines of the respective Ministries/
Departments shall be routed through NIWE (Ref: Annexure 1). In case, prescribed formats
are not available, the application will be made through a formal letter to the concerned
Ministry. NIWE will only act as a facilitator for such clearances; however, the decision on
the application will be prerogative of the concerned Ministry/Department.
(i) NIWE would issue the "Letter of Consent" (Ref: Annexure 2) to the private
developer after requisite clearances from all the concerned Ministries /
Departments. This 'Letter of Consent' would be valid for a period of 6 months
and extendable to a maximum of 1 year. The private developer must
commence the survey activity within this period.
(ii) NIWE would have the rights to refuse permission to an entity on grounds of
national security without giving specific details/reasons.
(iii) The private surveyors/developers will submit an undertaking to NIWE (Ref:
Annexure 3) to the effect that any data/ information collected through surveys
and studies under permission granted by NIWE will not be concealed or
suppressed from NIWE. In addition, they will also give an undertaking that
they will not indulge in any other activity with potential to damage
environment and compromise security of the country within the allocated area.
This undertaking shall be submitted to NIWE before issuance of Letter of
Consent.
(iv) Procedure methodology, equipment, height of the mast (Maximum height of
200 m) / LiDAR measurements to be followed as per standards adopted (Ref:
Annexure 4) and accepted universally for all private developers, for carrying
out wind resource assessment study on their own. The measurement should be
adequate with wind data for a minimum period of one continuous year
(Uninterrupted).
(v) The private developer shall inform to NIWE the geo- coordinates, nearest
available port, the name of the coast where he proposed to install the Mast /
LiDAR.
(vi) The maximum seabed area allocated for up to 200m mast will be 300m x
300m. The seabed area allocated for LiDAR measurements will be an area
with 20 m radius around the point location
(vii) The extent of area normally applicable for a single point measurement with
Mast / LiDAR will be 15 km radially in all directions.
(viii) The raw wind data as collected, in convertible binary / ASCII formats (Ref:
Annexure 5) shall be submitted by the private surveyors/developers. The data
on the wind, oceanographic/bathymetric will be examined and certified by
NIWE with reference to the details submitted by them on the wind monitoring
station under appropriate agreement (Ref: Annexure 6) between the private
surveyors/developers and NIWE for which NIWE will charge a fee of Rs. 5.0
lakh + GST as applicable to be paid as advance in full.
NIWE will have unconditional rights for the use of survey data and maps for
the purposes of the International Competitive Bidding / other government
purposes.
(ix) NIWE would retain the option for offering the same area to more than one
company, should an interest be expressed or for expediting the measurement campaign. The allocation of the particular point location will be based on
guidelines .
(x) The private surveyors/developers shall have no right to allocation of offshore
wind block on account of the surveys and studies carried out by him.
Allocation of offshore wind energy blocks will be done through International
Competitive Bidding (ICB) only.
(xi) All data of the site will be treated as part of NIWE data bank and can be
utilised by NIWE for development of the offshore wind energy block.
NIWE would be at liberty to invite bids for setting up wind power projects in
such sites. However, the private surveyors/developers will have a right over
the data collected and it can generate revenue by selling data to any third party
subject to the approval of NIWE
(xii) On completion of measurement, any permanent / temporary structures and
floating materials (debris) shall be properly collected and disposed as per the
regulations of CRZ / Maritime operations.
(xiii) A detailed design and methodology of installation should be submitted to
NIWE before taking up the project and as-built drawings should also be
submitted after completion of work.
(xiv) In case of any ambiguity in interpretation of any of the provisions of these
Guidelines, the decision of NIWE shall be final.