Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is making efforts to set up a National Offshore Wind Energy Agency to explore wind generation potential in the offshore areas. Speaking on the occasion of a daylong “National Level Consultation on National Wind Energy Mission” in the capital today, Dr.Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy said that the potential of generatingpower through wind energy in the offshore areas was immense and the Ministry will approach the Union Cabinet soon for a decision.

Dr. Abdullah also expressed the hope that the Finance Ministry will restore the benefits of Accelerated Depreciation for Wind Power Producers in the Interim Budget to be presented next month. The Union MNRE Minister also supported the idea of appropriate financial support to the wind power producers.

The one day long National Consultation has been organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to discuss the need and scope of a National Wind Energy Mission which work towards improvinginvestment climate by resolving issues connected with resource potential, land availability, grid connectivity, clearance procedure and zoning. This initiative is part of the efforts of the Ministry to remove hurdles in wind power development in the country, and bring together all stakeholders on a common platform to work in a coordinated and concerted manner. The Consultation is being attended by industry representatives, state electricity regulators, State and Central Government officials and research and development experts.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Dr. S.B. Agnihotri, Secretary, MNRE highlighted the importance of setting up an Evacuation Infrastructure and short-term large scale Storage Facilities for the renewable energy. He also stressed on the need for making available long term finance at reasonable rate for the wind power producers.