71. Tidal Power – A New Paradigm for India

Compared to all methods of generating electrical power, tidal power is relatively a new concept, though a tidal power plant of 240 MW capacity is already in operation in France at a place called La Rance, since 1966. A peculiar geographical location is a pre condition for establishing a tidal power plant. Power can be generated while filling up the basin and during emptying the basin. Power is generated 4 times in a day, each time the duration is 4 hours, though the power is intermittent it is highly predictable the plant load factor is around 30%. The tide comes and goes in a clock like precision and their timings are predicted and published for 100 years. This is the basic difference between the wind power and tidal power. The time of wind power generation can be predicted generally but not precisely minute-wise as it is done for tidal power. India has a tidal power generation potential of about 18,000 MW predominantly in Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Kutch. The Gujarat Government has embarked upon developing a multi purpose project called Kalpasar which envisages production of tidal power of the order of 6000 MW along with creation of fresh water lake, reclamation of saline land, cutting short the distance between Saurashtra and main land and development of international ports. This paper describes Gujarat's ambitious project in brief and tidal power generation in some what detail and also gives a bird's eye view of the tidal power scenario in the world.