Blue Renewable Energy Sources: INCOIS

GS Paper III Science and Technology

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has developed the Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services

It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
It was established in 1999.
It functions as a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO).
It aims to provide ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government, and the scientific community.

About Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas.

Launched by: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
This is the world’s first atlas that provides both a combined and individual assessment of blue energy resources across India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- It identifies daily, monthly, and annual energy potential from tidal waves, currents, and other blue renewable sources.
It factors in fishing zones, shipping lines, cyclone-prone zones, eco-sensitive zones, ports, and harbours.
The atlas will help industries, policymakers, and researchers in planning and decision-making.
- It will also help in understanding the available energy potential sites

Blue renewable sources refer to energy derived from natural marine sources, including:
- Ocean waves
- Tides
- Currents
- Osmotic power (from differences in salt concentration between freshwater and seawater)
Potential of Blue Renewable Sources
- Energy Potential: Oceans and seas have a lot of energy which makes them a promising source of renewable energy.
- India’s Potential: Research indicates that India could generate up to 9.2 lakh TWh of energy from its coastline and island areas.
UNCLOS
- UNCLOS provides the legal framework for governance of the world’s oceans.
- It Was adopted in 1982.
- Relevance to the Blue Economy
  - Sustainable use of ocean resources: UNCLOS promotes sustainable use of marine resources.
    - It ensures balance between environmental protection and economic growth.
  - Dispute resolution: This body provides a mechanism for resolving maritime disputes.
    - It smooths international trade.
  - Global cooperation: It supports international cooperation in ocean research and sustainable development, which benefits the global blue economy.

The EEZ, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from a country’s coastline.
- It gives a country special rights to explore and use marine resources.
Uses: Includes generating energy from wind and water, and extracting oil and natural gas.
Exclusions: Does not cover the territorial sea or the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, but does include the contiguous zone.

- Resource Management: The country can explore, use, and manage both living and non-living resources.
- Energy Generation: It can produce energy from wind, water, and ocean currents.
- Structures: Allowed to build and use artificial islands and other structures.
- Research: Can conduct scientific research in the area.
- Environmental Protection: Responsible for protecting and preserving the marine environment.

Territorial Sea vs. EEZ
- Territorial Sea: Gives a country full control over the waters and the sea bed.
- EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone): Grants special rights only for using resources below the sea surface.
- The surface waters in EEZ are still considered international waters.
Freedom of Navigation
- EEZ Rules: While a country has special rights in its EEZ, it must allow other countries to navigate freely through these waters.

18th Largest EEZ: India’s EEZ covers 2,305,143 km² (890,021 sq mi).
Includes: Lakshadweep islands in the Laccadive Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
Borders: To the west with Pakistan, south with the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and east with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Importance of EEZ
- Resource Access: Provides control over oil, gas, minerals, and commercial fishing resources.
- Strategic Benefits: Enhances freedom of navigation, international trade, and national security.
- Current Exploitation: India uses 3.2 million tonnes per year of marine fishery resources out of a potential 3.92 million tonnes.
Legal Framework

- 1976 Act: India defined EEZ in the “Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976”.
- UNCLOS Ratification: India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in June 1997.
- Fishing Regulations: “Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of fishing by foreign vessels) Act, 1981″ prohibits foreign fishing without a license and regulates Indian fishing activities.

Indian Coast Guard: Plays a crucial role in safeguarding the shore.
Andaman and Nicobar Command: The Indian Military’s offshore command is responsible for protecting the EEZ.

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