Parliament Question: Offshore wind energy development

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3663 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026 OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT 3663.SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY SHRI BABUBHAI JESANGBHAI DESAI SHRI SHAMBHU SHARAN PATEL SMT. SEEMA DWIVEDI SMT. DARSHANA SINGH SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA SHRI NARHARI AMIN SHRI SADANAND MHALU SHET TANAVADE Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has identified potential offshore wind energy zones along the Indian coastline, particularly along the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra; (b) if so, the details of such identified zones and their estimated wind energy potential; (c) whether pilot offshore wind power projects have been initiated or proposed; (d) if so, the present status and capacity of such projects; (e) the steps taken by Government to attract private sector participation and investment in offshore wind energy development; and (f) the manner in which these initiatives are expected to contribute to India’s renewable energy targets and coastal economic development? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK) (a)& (b) Based on the meso-scale study 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 offshore wind energy zones. Maps showing these identified zones are attached as Annexure-I. As per assessment, it has been estimated that about 70 Giga Watt (GW) offshore wind power potential exists off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Further, NIWE also carried out the meso-scale study off Maharashtra coast to assess the offshore wind potential. The study indicates annual mean wind speeds of around 6.1–6.5 metre /second (m/s) at 150 metre above sea level (masl), which is considered below commercially viable levels (i.e. at least 7.5 m/s at 150 masl). (c)&(d) In order to kick start the offshore Wind energy sector in the country, Government has launched the 'Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects' with total outlay of ₹ 7453 crore for installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energyprojects and grant for upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects. MNRE has issued Scheme Guidelines for implementation of ‘VGF Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects’ vide sanction dated 11.09.2024. Under the scheme, the first tender for development of 500 MW offshore wind energy project off Gujarat coast issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on 13.09.2024. The tender was closed on 31.07.2025 (last date of bid submission) without receipt of any bids. (e) & (f) Government has taken several steps to develop offshore wind power projects in the country. These, inter alia, include; • Notification of ‘Offshore Wind Energy Policy’ in October 2015 to provide framework for the development of offshore wind energy in the country. • The Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023 have been notified to regulate the grant of lease of offshore areas for development of offshore wind energy projects. • For initial phase of developments, 08 potential offshore wind zones each off the coast Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have been identified through meso-scale study. • Installed a LiDAR off Gujarat Coast in Nov, 2017 and collected 02 years wind data. NIWE has also conducted Geophysical, Geotechnical study off, Rapid EIA study, Oceanographic (Wave, Tide & current study) for 01 GW capacity off Gujarat coast. • Geotechnical study at three bore hole locations carried out off Tamil Nadu coast. Further, 4 LiDARs off Tamil Nadu coast installed for wind resource measurement. Offshore met- ocean field studies and Geophysical & Geotechnical investigation for a 500 MW capacity site off Tamil Nadu coast has also been completed. • Central Transmission Utility (CTU) has completed the planning for initial 10 GW offshore transmission capacity (05 GW each off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coast. • Government has launched the 'Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects'. • Offshore Wind has been included in the list of activities to be considered for trading of Carbon Credits under bilateral/co-operative approaches as per Article 6.2 Mechanism of Paris Agreement. • Waiver of Inter-State Transmission (ISTS) Charges along with waiver of additional surcharges for open access consumers for offshore wind power projects commissioned on or before 31.12.2032. • These initiatives are intended to make development of offshore wind energy projects viable in the country and contributing to coastal economic development. *****Annexure-I to Rajya Sabha Unstarred question No. 3663 to be answered on 24.03.2026