Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
5. Offshore wind generation offers several benefits over onshore wind energy generation but there are many challenges involved. Discuss. (250 words).
Reference: Down to Earth
Why this question
Offshore wind energy generation estimated to increase between 650 and 3,500 terawatt hours every year by 2050.The central government has recently revealed its aim to build 30 GW of offshore wind energy. Offshore wind energy offers several benefits over onshore wind energy. But there are also several challenges involved in exploitation of such energy.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to describe the benefits of offshore wind energy generation in general and also vis a vis onshore wind energy generation. It also wants us to enlist and describe the challenges involved in harnessing offshore wind energy in India.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention that India has a long coastline, high economic growth rate, high energy demand, increasing pollution which necessitates exploitation of all economically feasible renewable energy generation methods.
Body-
Discuss in points the benefits of offshore wind energy generation over onshore wind energy generation. E.g more area available, lesser turbulence, less visual impact, more consistent and stronger winds, closeness to load centres, lower gestation period etc.
Discuss in points the challenges involved. E.g lack of bathymetric data and wind resource maps, high initial costs, need for policy and regulatory support in the form of a dedicated mission on the lines of JNNSM etc.
Conclusion-
Bring out a fair, concise and a balanced opinion on the overall scope of onshore wind energy generation in India.
