Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore Wind Energy is becoming a strategic pillar in India’s Clean Energy Transition. Read here to learn more.

India and the United Kingdom have launched the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce under the India-UK Vision 2035 and the 4th Energy Dialogue to deepen cooperation in offshore wind energy.

This partnership reflects the growing strategic importance of offshore wind in India’s energy transition, industrial strategy, and climate commitments.

Read: India-UK relations

What is Offshore Wind Energy?

Offshore wind energy refers to electricity generation from wind turbines installed in marine environments such as seas and oceans.

Unlike onshore wind:

• Offshore winds are stronger and more consistent.
• Capacity factors are higher.
• Larger turbines can be deployed.

However, costs and infrastructure requirements are significantly higher than those of wind energy.

India’s Offshore Wind Potential

According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), India has an estimated offshore wind potential of around 70 GW, mainly along:

• Gujarat coastline
• Tamil Nadu coastline

India’s total non-fossil fuel capacity has already crossed 272 GW, including:

• 141+ GW solar
• 55 GW wind (primarily onshore)

Offshore wind represents the next frontier in scaling renewable energy.

Policy and Institutional Framework

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015)

Provides the regulatory framework for:

• Seabed leasing
• Project development
• Grid connectivity
• Environmental clearances

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

Nodal Agency: National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE)

Viability Gap Funding (VGF)

To catalyse early-stage projects, the government has introduced a ₹7,453 crore Viability Gap Funding scheme.

Purpose:

• Reduce financial risk
• Bridge cost gap between offshore wind and conventional power
• Encourage private investment

This is crucial because offshore wind is capital-intensive.

India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce: Key Pillars of Cooperation

Under the India-UK Vision 2035 framework, three core pillars were identified:

1. Ecosystem Planning and Market Design

Includes:

• Seabed leasing frameworks
• Revenue certainty mechanisms
• Transparent bidding systems

The UK is a global leader in offshore wind auctions and Contracts for Difference (CfD) models, offering valuable regulatory experience.

2. Infrastructure and Supply Chains

Focus Areas:

• Port modernisation
• Local manufacturing of turbines
• Logistics ecosystem development

Offshore wind requires:

• Heavy-lift ports
• Specialised vessels
• Advanced blade manufacturing

This can deepen India’s industrial base.

3. Financing and Risk Mitigation

Mechanisms include:

• Blended finance models
• Mobilisation of institutional capital
• Sovereign-backed risk guarantees

Given the high upfront cost, financial innovation is critical.

Strategic Importance for India

Energy Security

• Reduces import dependence on fossil fuels.
• Diversifies renewable portfolio beyond solar.

Grid Stability

Offshore wind complements solar power:

• Solar peaks during the day.
• Offshore wind often peaks in the late afternoon and evening.

This improves grid balancing and reduces intermittency challenges.

Industrial Competitiveness

Offshore wind can support:

• Coastal industrial corridors
• Green hydrogen production hubs
• Export-oriented manufacturing clusters

Synergy with National Green Hydrogen Mission

Offshore wind can provide dedicated renewable power to coastal green hydrogen clusters.

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen production.

Benefits of Offshore Wind for Hydrogen:

• Stable power supply
• Coastal proximity to ports
• Lower transmission losses
• Integration with export infrastructure

This strengthens India’s ambition to become a green energy exporter.

Challenges in Offshore Wind Development

High Capital Costs: Offshore wind projects cost significantly more than onshore wind or solar.

Technical Complexity

• Marine engineering challenges
• Corrosion issues
• Cyclone vulnerability (especially in Gujarat)

Environmental Concerns

• Marine biodiversity impact
• Fishing community displacement
• Coastal ecosystem sensitivity

Grid Integration

Need for:

• Subsea transmission cables
• Offshore substations
• Grid strengthening

Global Context

The United Kingdom is among the world leaders in offshore wind capacity. Collaboration allows India to:

• Learn from mature markets
• Avoid regulatory pitfalls
• Accelerate scaling

Wind Energy vs Offshore Wind Energy

Way Forward

• Clear long-term offshore wind targets
• Strengthening domestic manufacturing
• Faster environmental clearance processes
• Coastal community engagement
• Hybrid renewable parks (offshore wind + solar + storage)

Conclusion

Offshore wind energy represents a strategic opportunity for India to strengthen its clean energy transition while enhancing industrial depth and energy security.

The India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce demonstrates that energy partnerships today are not merely about climate action; they are about supply chain resilience, industrial policy, and strategic autonomy.

If effectively implemented, offshore wind could become a cornerstone of India’s next-generation renewable energy expansion and its journey toward net-zero emissions by 2070.