A recent study performed by the Indian government shows the country has an estimated 8,000 megawatts of tidal energy potential.
According to the assessment, the majority of this potential lies in the Gulf of Cambay where 7,000 megawatts of tidal energy could be reportedly harnessed. The report also indicates two other areas could be developed as tidal power sites. The Gulf of Kutch has 1,200 MW of potential, while the Gangetic Delta offers 100 MW of renewable energy.
India is one of the world’s fastest growing clean tech nations, and its government has become increasingly interested in developing tidal energy, an emerging sector of renewable energy.
In January, the government approved Asia’s first tidal power project. The 50-megawatt facility will be constructed by Atlantis Resources Corporation in the Gulf of Kutch. Atlantis’ internal investigation of the Gulf of Kutch’s tidal power potential was significantly lower than the government’s analysis. Atlantis’ tests showed the Gulf could generate up to 300 MW of tidal energy.
The government has also sanctioned a demonstration project in the Gangetic Delta. The 3.75 MW of tidal energy facility will be developed by the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency.
India’s minister of Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has also said the government will offer incentives and subsidies up to 50% to the state agencies implementing tidal power projects. Minister Abdullah also told Bloomberg that the country has already provided US$31 million in 2011 to the development of small tidal power plants. The country currently has nearly 3,00 megawatts of small tidal power plants, and another 914 megawatts in development.
