Exploring the Offshore Wind Resource Potential of India Based on Remotely Sensed Wind Field Data

Offshore wind energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies. India is still foraying into offshore wind energy sector. This paper examines the offshore wind resource potential for India based on ASCAT wind speed observations for the most recent period from 2007 to 2020. The 13 year wind speed observations are used to assess the spatio-temporal variations of wind speeds and wind power densities. Two specific high wind potential zones are identified along the Indian coast: (1) off Gulf of Khambhat (Site 1) and (2) south of Tamil Nadu (Site 2). The results show that at 10 m height, the long-term average wind speed is above 6 m/s at both the potential sites, which is above the cut-in wind speed of most wind turbines. Consistent with the seasonal cycle, the wind speed is highest in the summer and lowest during spring. Annual average values of wind power density at Site 1 and Site 2 are 203 W/m2 and 265 W/m2 indicating that these sites stand in power class 4 and 5, respectively. It is also observed that year-round, the dominant wind direction is easterly and north-easterly at Site 1 and Site 2, respectively. Analysis indicated that at least 175 and 260 days in a year the wind speeds exceed 6 m/s at Site 1 and Site 2, respectively. While both the sites performed reasonably good in the wind resource characteristics, Site 2 with high and sustained winds has the best wind resource than elsewhere along the Indian coastal region.