Atlantis Resources is set to launch Asia’s first tidal wave power station in Gujarat, India. Studies of the Gulf of Kutch, which borders Gujarat to the West, confirm that a tidal wave project could be successful.
The chairman and managing director of Gujarat Power Corp DJ Pandian said “Gujarat has significant resources in water off its coast, so tidal energy represents a huge opportunity for us.”
However, the Gulf of Kutch is also home to India’s first national marine sanctuary. Harvesting a clean, renewable energy source is exciting but will it overshadow the obligation to preserve biodiversity and marine life in the Gulf of Kutch? Can a renewable energy project be launched without compromising biodiversity in Gujarat?
WaterWideWeb published an article on 31 December 2010 that detailed the water and energy nexus in Gujarat, India. Large quantities of reliable energy are needed to maintain the agricultural sector which fuels money into the economy, but pumping water for agriculture imposes huge environmental costs on the region.
Additional energy resources for farming would have a positive impact on farming practices; poverty and hunger would decrease in the region. The tidal wave project would signal the emergence of a competitive marketplace for clean energy in Asia. In the name of technological advancement, countries will march forth boldly into the arena of clean energy. Ideally, carbon emissions will decrease and that’s a quantifiable value.
Calculating the impact of such a project on marine life is an important variable for investors and other key stakeholders to consider. The Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch was established in 1980 to preserve biodiversity in the region. Protecting endangered species and marine life is a priority on the agenda for both local and international communities alike. Navigating these intrinsically linked issues in Gujarat has turned the Atlantis Resources endeavor into a high profile project.
In an article published by the Anchorage Daily News, oceanographer Andrea Copping said “Before we put these power generating devices in the water, we need to know how they will affect the marine environment.” Since the tidal wave project is in such close proximity to the Marine National Park, the instrument design for channeling wave energy is a key consideration.
Electromagnetic fields installed in tidal wave projects may interfere with the natural sensing systems of marine life. Non-invasive devices that are in sync with marine environments do exist. The bioWave ocean-wave energy system was developed by the Australian based Bio-Power systems. These units are mounted on the seabed. There, they are activated by ocean waves.
Since ocean waves are diffuse, the bioWave system operates in a synergistic way to mobilize wave wattage. Ideally, the tidal wave project in Gujarat will incorporate a similar system that does not interrupt the natural habitat or sensing systems of marine animals protected by the Marine National Park.
Watching the tidal wave project in Gujarat unfold will set a precedent for environmentalists, developers and scientists. Collaboration between Atlantis Resources and the marine scientists that are involved with the Marine National Park are critical to maintain the environmental sustainability of the former’s proposed project.
The community of Gujarat is faced with an amazing opportunity to promote a viable energy solution that does not compromise biodiversity. If successful, such a project could turn the world of sustainability on its heels.
In a perfect world, a sound solution to the energy crisis would not interfere with simultaneous efforts to promote the environmental agenda. If achieved, Gujarat will truly exemplify a multi-faceted millennium project that addresses both key issues relevant to developing and industrialized countries across the world.
In Gujarat, the question is not whether clean energy is important. The real issue is the response of local governments to private sector investors that affect regional infrastructure and cultural epicenters in India. Are there regulations on which equipment can be installed for the project? Have private companies consulted with specialists about potential conflicts with the Marine National Park?
Hopefully, energy policies are not at odds with environmental interests. But if they are, the outcome of Gujarat will be a focal point for studying the relationship costs for the decisions made.
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