Opportunities for Norwegian Ocean Players in India

India is prognosed to multiply the energy consumption by 3,5 times by 2040. – This is an opportunity for Norwegian businesses, says Trond Strømgren from GCE Ocean Technology.

India has a vast ocean area that is not yet fully explored and utilised and is a country prognosed to multiply its energy consumption by 3,5 times by 2040. Offshore wind and solar energy will take a significant part of the increase, accordingly the oceans, will have to provide more food, minerals and diverse products in the future.

This is an opportunity for Norwegian businesses. Collaboration with Indian players will be one of the actions that can contribute to added value in both countries», says Trond Strømgren, Ocean Technology Innovator in GCE Ocean Technology.

Offshore wind, marine renewable energy and ocean research are topics of essence for both Norway and India and these markets represent huge growth potential. We discussed these topics during our meetings in Chennai last week.

Tenders for Offshore Wind in India

Indian authorities are planning to launch tenders for offshore wind on the west coast and south cape of India. The National Institute of Wind Energy have undertaken detailed surveys and have produced very good data material as basis for upcoming tenders.

The plan is to install 5 GW of offshore wind by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030. The first field will probably be in Gujarat, with a park of multiple 6-8 MW wind turbines located 25 km off the coast.

The wind conditions at the two possible fields are stabile through the year averaging 8 m/s on the west coast and 10-12 m/s at the south cape. India has a 7500 km coastal line. There is a huge future potential for offshore wind along parts of the coast.

Collaboration within Ocean Research

The National Institute of Ocean Technology conducts a variety of research programmes targeting different ocean topics. The basis for all research is the Indian perspective that “the oceans control the weather, climate and hazards, provide energy, food and mineral resources as well as an ecosystem to survive.”

NIOT operates the advanced research vessel Sagar Nidhi that can operate in both artic and tropical waters. Some of the main research topics are real time oceanographic data, coastal research and management, marine living and non-living resources, ocean thermal energy, shipborne emissions, desalinating of sea water, deep ocean exploration and marine minerals.

NIOT is already connected to Norway with different links. They have signed a MoU with NTNU, participates in the IEA – Ocean Energy Systems group with Norway and have lately ordered a Kongsberg AUV for use in deep waters. There is a potential for increased collaboration between NIOT and Norwegian businesses on the institutes research topics.

Aid for Norwegian Businesses

Innovation Norway have offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and have been present in India since 2005. They offer services to Norwegian businesses that wants to establish themselves in India or collaborate with Indian players.

– We have skilled Indian staff members that know the local culture and the ways of doing business in India. This is crucial competence for a succesful approach to the Indian market», says Helge Tryti, Country Director Innovation Norway-India.

Innovation Norway has been involved as advisors in a multitude of business deals. Last week they were present when Indian and Norwegian companies signed deals in Chennai.

Future Energy Collaboration

Trond Strømgren from GCE Ocean Technology presented at the World Energy Policy Summit in New Delhi the week before about Norwegian maritime hydrogen projects and offshore wind.

Last week he followed up with meetings in Mumbai and Chennai with Director General Shipping, Maharashtra Maritime Board and DNV GL.

GCE Ocean Technology will follow up up on the Indian offshore wind energy market, marine minerals and other ocean activities to scoute for opportunites for future energy collaboration for our cluster’s partners and members.