As the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) continues to expand India's renewable energy (RE) portfolio, ocean energy offers a sustainable solution to meet India's growing energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. This article outlines the current state of ocean energy technologies, their potential in India, and the current initiatives undertaken by MNRE to further the development of ocean energy in India.
India has significant potential for harnessing tidal energy due to its long coastline, particularly in regions like the Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Kutch, and the Sundarbans in West Bengal. As per the report from IREDA, India's theoretical potential for tidal power is estimated at 12,455 MW, with the highest concentrations in Gujarat and West Bengal. The Gulf of Khambhat alone accounts for 7000 MW, followed by 1200 MW in the Gulf of Kutch and approximately 100 MW in the Sundarbans region. The country's wave power potential is estimated at 41.3 GW, according to CRISIL, making it a promising addition to India's renewable energy portfolio. India's southern coasts, particularly Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, are identified as suitable regions for harnessing wave energy.
India offers unique strategic advantages for harnessing ocean energy. These advantages position India favourably for developing ocean energy as a significant component of its renewable energy portfolio.
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The article was co-authored by Anil Kumar (Scientist ‘E’, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India).
