India commissions mapping system to probe wind energy potential
India has commissioned a sophisticated landscape mapping tool as authorities examine the country's potential for generating wind power. The country's first light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system will be sited in the the Gulf of Khambhat, off the western state of Gujarat. Commissioned by the Facilitating Offshore Wind in India (FOWIND) consortium, the LiDAR system will gather data for India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. FOWIND's preliminary roadmap for offshore wind development is set to be released early next year.

The Facilitating Offshore Wind in India (FOWIND) consortium has commissioned India's first offshore LiDAR, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), which leads the consortium, said last week.

The LiDAR is located off the coast of India's western state of Gujarat, in the Gulf of Khambhat. It will provide data to help India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy examine the potential of offshore wind along the country's coastline.

The device has been procured from MeteoPole and installed on a platform developed by India's National Institute of Wind Energy.

GWEC secretary general Steve Sawyer expects that offshore wind will play a key role in the country's clean energy future. "This is an important first step on the long road to establishing a vibrant and cost-effective offshore wind industry in India," Sawyer commented.

The FOWIND project aims to finalise a preliminary roadmap for offshore wind development in India in early 2018.

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