Climate projections show decreasing wave power and rising variability, along India’s coastline, especially in the Arabian Sea and southern regions requiring region-specific assessments for sustainable energy planning.
Authors
Anshu Yadav, Department of Applied Sciences, National Institute of Technology Delhi, India
Prashant Kumar, Department of Applied Sciences, National Institute of Technology Delhi, India
Bahareh Kamranzad, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G11XJ, United Kingdom
Prasad Kumar Bhaskaran, Department of Ocean and Navel Architecture, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
Rajni, Associate Professor, Jindal Global Business School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana 131001, India
Summary
Projected changes in oceanic and atmospheric conditions due to climate change necessitate a detailed assessment of future wave power (WP) variations along India’s extensive coastline for sustainable energy development and coastal adaptation. This study examines the projected changes in mean and extreme WP along the Indian coastline, with a regional focus on the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Island, under future climate scenarios SSP126 and SSP585 for the period 2071–2100. The Arabian Sea and southern coastal regions exhibit considerable wave energy potential, but expected decreases in WP and increased variability index (VI) pose challenges for long-term exploitation. Key regions such as Gujarat, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep demonstrate substantial variability in WP, with higher variability in future scenarios under SSP5–8.5. Site-specific assessments across 20 locations identified Veraval (Gujarat), Hut Bay (Andaman), and Agatti, Minicoy, and Kalpeni (Lakshadweep) as key sites with both high mean and extreme WP values, characterized by consistently elevated energy levels and stable variability indicating strong potential for reliable wave energy extraction. The findings underscore the importance of integrating climate change projections into strategic energy planning, with a focus on region-specific assessments to ensure sustainable and resilient wave energy development.
Published in: Ocean Modelling
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