Chennai, Jun 30 (IANS): In a move to promote renewable energy and to cater to the country's growing power demand, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will act as a facilitator to install offshore wind turbines in Tamil Nadu, officials said.

The Central government will float international tenders for the installation of wind turbines as the cost per MW for offshore turbines are much higher due to the requirement of strong foundations and marine structures.

The tenders will be floated in four months, MNRE sources told IANS. According to officers, the offshore wind turbines will be installed at Dhanushkodi, Arichalmunai, Manappadu, and Kanniyakumari and the MNRE will act as the nodal agency for the installation.

According to an officer with the MNRE, there is a possibility of setting up 30,000 MW of combined power generation in southern parts of the state.

Sources told IANS that the commissioning of the first offshore turbine will take 6 years as preliminary reports on soil suitability, climate change, wind direction analysis are required to be taken.

While the offshore wind turbines can generate 5-10 MW per turbine, onshore wind turbines can generate only 2-3 MW of power.

Tamil Nadu Power Minister, Senthil Bhalaji, along with officials from Tangedco had recently visited Scotland and studied the working of offshore wind turbines that can generate more units of power when compared to onshore wind turbines.

Ministry officials told IANS that Tamil Nadu will be able to generate power by using offshore wind turbines from June to December every year taking into account the climate changes in the area.