Report Shows India Has More Than 7,000 Megawatts of Tidal Power Potential
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 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 recoverable energy.
India is one of the world's fastest growing cleantech nations, and its government has become increasingly interested in developing tidal power, 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 energy potential was significantly lower than the government's analysis. Atlantis' tests showed the Gulf could generated up to 300 MW.
The government has also sanctioned a demonstration project in the Gangetic Delta. The 3.75 MW 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 energy projects. Minister Abdullah aslo told Bloomberg that the country has already provided US$31 million in 2011 to the development of small hydropower. The country currently has nearly 3,00 megawatts of small hydropower plants, and another 914 megawatts in development.
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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