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Grid integration study for offshore wind farm development in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu

The FOWIND Consortium launched a new report: “Grid Integration Study for Offshore Wind Farm Development in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu”. This DNV-GL led study is a significant step forward in preparing a roadmap for the offshore wind sector in India by the GWEC led FOWIND consortium. The four-year project aims to put together a roadmap for developing a sustainable and commercially viable offshore wind industry in India. This report addresses the critical issue of how to prepare the state power systems to connect offshore wind projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The report assesses the elements that are needed in the future design of offshore wind farms to ensure grid integration along with a preliminary evaluation of existing grid infrastructure across the two states. FOWIND is largely focused on early projects and the possibility for providing easy grid access without any significant need for upgrades for the regional or local grids. The study provides the first of its kind overview of the existing grid infrastructure in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The study was prepared in collaboration with the state utilities (GETCO and TANGEDCO) with a focus on integrating offshore wind. India has the world’s 4th largest onshore wind market with a total installed capacity of over 32.6 GW. However, India does have an acute need for large-scale, clean and indigenous energy generation to fuel its rapidly growing economy.