Question : Capacity of Oceanic Energy

(a) the details of the estimated capacity of oceanic energy including tidal energy, wave energy, salinity and difference in temperature of the ocean in the country, State-wise;
(b) the funds allocated for research and development on each of the oceanic energy including tidal energy, wave energy, salinity and difference in temperature of the ocean during the last three years and the current year;
(c) whether the Government has launched any tidal energy scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to launch any pilot project in the field of oceanic energy in the country and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

(SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) The Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai in association with Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) had conducted a study on “Tidal & Waves Energy in India: Survey on the Potential & Proposition of a Roadmap” in December 2014. As per this report, the state-wise estimated theoretical potentials of tidal energy and wave energy in the country are as follows:

State Tidal Energy (MW) Wave Energy (MW)
Andhra Pradesh 100 6,900
Gujarat 10,425 4,100
Karnataka 100 6,100
Kerala 100 4,900
Maharashtra 200 8,100
Odisha 400 600
Tamil Nadu 230 10,600
West Bengal 900 --
Total 12,455 41,300

The study did not estimate the potentials of salinity and difference in temperature of the ocean in the country.

(b) The funds allocated for research and development (R&D) in the area of new and Renewable Energy technologies during the last three years (2019-20, 2020-21 & 2021-22) is Rs. 91 crore and during the current year (2022-23) is Rs. 35.00 crore. The R&D budget of the Ministry is a composite one without specific allocations for different technologies. Since no viable R&D project was received, no R&D funds have been spent on oceanic energy.

(c)&(d) The Ministry has not launched any scheme on tidal energy. However, the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme of the Ministry, supports R&D projects for technology development and demonstration in various areas of new and renewable energy, including oceanic energy projects in the country. R&D Division vide notification dated 26/05/2022 has issued “call for proposals” for R&D projects including oceanic energy in the country.