MNRE issues Draft Rules to Sustain Offshore Wind Energy Leasing

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced that it has issued draft offshore wind energy lease rules for projects that will be developed within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), recommending areas to be allocated via global competitive bidding only. The draft will be open for comments and suggestions by February 25, 2019.

The recommended rules call for leasing areas for offshore wind development of 100 sq m-500 sq m (1,076 sq ft-5,382 sq ft), depending on the size of the project, and will be situated up to 200 nautical miles off the coast of India.

Each lease within the exclusive economic zone will be primarily applicable for five years to carry out prospecting and 30 years to set up an offshore wind farm, with an option to be extended for five more years. Additionally, the rule specifies that all project development activities, including the evaluation of offshore wind energy latent through related studies and surveys, to be undertaken only once the lease has been secured by a particular body.