As India moves forward with its multibillion-dollar renewable program, a Singapore-based company is closely monitoring the potential for producing wind energy in deep waters off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
“Strong winds across deep seas off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are best suited for installing larger wind turbines, ranging in size from 12 MW to 18 MW, and produce renewable energy 24 hours a day at a competitive price,” according to Anil Bhatia, Vice President for Renewable and Hybrid Energy at HBA.
“Since the New Delhi government just announced a tender for a block of 4,000 MW wind energy development, we are keenly monitoring possible projects. Green ammonia and hydrogen production are competitive and viable thanks to the consistent energy generation from such offshore farms. It is possible to get electricity for between Rs 8 and Rs 12 per kilowatt hour,” he added further.
Bhatia believes that installing offshore facilities for the production of green ammonia will significantly reduce costs, particularly those associated with the cable needed to bring green energy ashore. He compares the offshore management of hydrogen-ammonia production and exports to how the offshore oil and gas business has been managing hydrocarbon production and shipments around platforms in deep water fields for many years.
In some of the major wind energy-producing regions, particularly Europe, 12 MW turbines are already in operation. Global industrial companies are developing and are slated to create 15 MW and 18 MW wind turbines.
The most cost-effective green ammonia for India and overseas markets can be produced by combining larger wind turbines and ammonia ships. India now relies on imported blue ammonia, which is made from petroleum, to meet its rising demand for fertiliser.
Ammonia as a coal substitute has already been tested in power plants by the Japanese. Hassan Basma, a seasoned professional in the energy sector who launched HBA in 2015, claims that Japan intends to purchase three million tonnes of ammonia annually beginning in 2026.
According to Bhatia, HBA has developed its concepts into projects as pressure from the COP27, environmentalists, and governments pressing toward their Net Zero targets has increased. He also noted that several blocks have been set up for offshore deep water for wind energy complexes in the Southeast Asian region.
