Hogan Lovell OffshoreBook 2023 230809 OnlinePDF - Flipbook - Page 128
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agreements with the relevant State distribution utility.16
In case of projects developed under Model
2-A mentioned in the Strategy Paper, NIWE
would operate as a single-window coordinator and would coordinate with relevant authorities for the granting of Stage I and Stage
II approvals. NIWE would also issue guidelines along with formats for the application
for undertaking offshore studies. While the
potential developers are free to select the
site for investigations, a minimum distance
of 1 kilometre between mast location/LIDAR
site and bore holes of one developer and
that of another developer would have to be
observed, with site work being undertaken
only after clearance by NIWE on a ‘first come
first serve’ basis.17 After a period of 2 years,
SECI or the applicable implementing agency
would issue the bid documents for the procurement of 2GW of power from offshore
wind projects and the process thereafter
would be as per the process described
above for Model-1.18 For Model 2-B projects,
the process envisaged under the Strategy
Paper entails the submission of proposals by
interested bidders for project development
under open access. The selected project
developer under this model would also have
to enter into a concession agreement and a
lease agreement with the overall commissioning timeframe being 4 years from the
India
date of signing of the concession agreement
(subject to extension by a maximum of 1
year in case of extenuating circumstances).19
Lastly, under Model-3 of the Strategy Paper
the development process broadly involves
the following modalities: 20
• MNRE/nodal agency to allocate identified offshore wind energy blocks to
potential developers under an exclusive lease for a prescribed period — this
is undertaken through a competitive
process.
• The allocation of seabed would be
carried out through a single stage 2-envelope bid process.
• MNRE or its designated agency to issue
a letter of consent to the selected developer for carrying out offshore wind
measurements and other relevant
surveys post obtaining requisite clearances from the relevant authorities as
per the Offshore Wind Policy.
• Selected developer to undertake development and power offtake responsibilities.
• Allocation of blocks would provisionally be in place for a period of 5 years,
16 Supra note 9 at page 5.
17 On 13 March 2023, the ‘Guidelines for Offshore Wind Power Assessment Studies and Survey’ issued by NIWE in September 2018 have been amended,
pursuant to which among others, the validity of the letters of consent issued by NIWE to developers has been extended to 3 years (and maximum up to 4
years) provided that the survey/study is commenced within 1 year of issuance of the consent letter. See Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, ‘Amendment in the ‘Guidelines for Offshore Wind Power Assessment Studies and Survey’ issued by NIWE’, dated 13 March 2023.
18 Supra note 9 at page 6.
19 Supra note 9 at page 6.
20 Supra note 9 at page 6, page 7.
