**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 570, addressed on July 23, 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provided the following information regarding offshore wind energy exploration in India, specifically concerning the Karnataka coast.
The Union Government, based on preliminary studies by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) in collaboration with multilateral agencies, has designated eight zones each off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as initial priority zones for offshore wind energy development (maps attached as Annexure I).
NIWE has conducted preliminary offshore wind resource mapping along the entire Indian coastline, including Karnataka, up to 200 nautical miles (nm) from the shore. However, mesoscale data indicates that the annual average wind speed along the Karnataka coast is in the range of 5-5.2 m/s, which is considered insufficient for offshore wind energy projects. Consequently, further studies such as geophysical surveys and LiDAR installations have not been proposed for the Karnataka coastline.
Feasibility studies have been conducted for offshore wind farm development off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu under the Facilitating Offshore Wind Energy in India (FOWIND) program, supported by the European Union. To support pilot projects, a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme has been launched for the installation and commissioning of 1000 MW of offshore wind projects, with 500 MW each planned off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Key Entities Referenced
Karnataka: A state in India, mentioned in the context of exploring offshore wind energy potential along its coastline.
Gujarat: A state in India identified as an initial priority zone for offshore wind energy development.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India identified as an initial priority zone for offshore wind energy development.
National Institute of Wind Energy NIWE: An organization that conducted preliminary studies on offshore wind resources along the Indian coastline.
Lok Sabha: House of the Parliament of India where the question regarding offshore wind energy was raised.
European Union: An entity supporting the Facilitating Offshore Wind Energy in India (FOWIND) program.
Facilitating Offshore Wind Energy in India FOWIND: A program supported by the European Union for feasibility studies of offshore wind farms off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Viability Gap Funding VGF Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects: A scheme launched for the installation and commissioning of 1000 MW offshore wind projects off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 570
ANSWERED ON 23/07/2025
EXPLORING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY IN KARNATAKA COAST
570. SHRI B Y RAGHAVENDRA
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has identified the Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as initial priority
zones for offshore wind energy development and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is also exploring the potential for offshore wind projects along
other parts of the Indian coastline including Karnataka and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has assessed or proposes to assess the offshore wind potential
along the Karnataka coast which offer favourable conditions such as steady wind patterns,
shallow seabed and proximity to power infrastructure and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any preliminary wind resource mapping, geophysical surveys, or LiDAR
installations have been proposed along the Karnataka coastline to evaluate its offshore wind
potential and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to consider initiating feasibility studies or pilot projects
along the coastline as a part of its broader strategy to diversify offshore wind development
across multiple coastal States and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): Based on the preliminary studies carried out by the National Institute of Wind Energy
(NIWE) in collaboration with various multilateral agencies, the Government has identified
eight zones each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as initial priority offshore wind energy
zones. Maps showing these identified zones are attached as Annexure-I.
(b) to (d) NIWE has done preliminary offshore wind resource mapping along the entire Indian
coastline, including Karnataka up to 200 nautical miles (nm) from the shore. As per the
mesoscale data, the annual average wind speed along the Karnataka coast is in the range of 5–
5.2 m/s, which is considered as low speed for development of offshore wind energy projects.
Owing to low wind speed along the Karnataka coast, further studies such as geophysical
surveys and LiDAR installations have not been proposed.
(e) Government has carried out feasibility studies for the offshore wind farms development off
the coast of Gujarat and Tami Nadu under Facilitating Offshore Wind Energy in India
(FOWIND) program supported by European Union.
For pilot projects, a “Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy
Projects” have been launched for installation and commissioning of 1000 MW offshore wind
projects (500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu).
*****Annexure-I to Lok Sabha Unstarred question No. 570 to be answered on
23.07.2025
Identified Offshore Wind Zones off Gujarat coast
Identified Offshore Wind Zones off Tamil Nadu coast