**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 260, answered on December 17, 2025, regarding the offshore wind energy potential in Karnataka. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reports that while offshore wind resource assessments have been conducted, the Karnataka coast, including Dakshina Kannada, has wind speeds below commercially viable levels. Therefore, offshore wind implementation efforts are currently focused on Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Offshore Wind Resource Assessment:**
* The National Institute of Wind Energy has evaluated offshore wind potential along the Karnataka coast.
* **Wind Potential:**
* Meso-scale studies have identified potential offshore wind zones off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
* Preliminary studies estimate approximately 70 GW of offshore wind power potential exists off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
* The Karnataka coast exhibits annual mean wind speeds of approximately 4.0–5.3 m/s at 150 meters above sea level (masl).
* Dakshina Kannada's coast has wind speeds around 4 m/s at 150 masl.
* Wind speeds are below the commercially viable level of 7.5 m/s at 150 masl.
* **Implementation Efforts:**
* Offshore wind implementation efforts are concentrated on higher wind potential zones such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Ministry of New and Renewable Energy**
* **Impact:** Is responsible for conducting wind resource assessments and guiding offshore wind energy implementation efforts based on potential.
* **Action Required:** Continue focusing efforts on regions with commercially viable wind potential, such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
* **Karnataka (Specifically Dakshina Kannada)**
* **Impact:** Dakshina Kannada will likely not be considered a priority location for offshore wind energy projects in the near future.
* **Action Required:** Monitor wind resource assessments and potential advancements in wind energy technology that may improve the viability of offshore wind projects in the region in the future.
* **Private Developers**
* **Impact:** Will not have the opportunity to develop offshore wind farms in Dakshina Kannada for the immediate future.
* **Action Required:** Focus offshore wind farm development efforts on regions with commercially viable wind potential.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: The primary ministry responsible for offshore wind energy policy in India.
Karnataka: Indian state where offshore wind energy potential is being evaluated.
Dakshina Kannada district: Specific district in Karnataka being considered as a potential regional hub for offshore wind energy generation.
National Institute of Wind Energy: Autonomous organization under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy conducting wind resource assessments.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 260
ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL IN KARNATAKA
*260. CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether any feasibility surveys or wind resource assessments have been conducted along
the Karnataka coast, particularly in Dakshina Kannada district since 2020 to evaluate offshore
wind potential and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether any projects have been sanctioned or private developers shortlisted for setting up
offshore wind farms off Dakshina Kannada district and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any funds have been allocated for environment and geophysical impact studies,
seabed bathymetry mapping and associated transmission infrastructure in the district and if so,
the details of quantum of funds and utilization status thereof; and
(d) whether there is a strategic plan for designating Dakshina Kannada district as a regional
hub for offshore wind energy generation aligned with national targets towards the year 2032
and if so, the details of roadmap thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
& FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No.
260 to be answered on 17.12.2025 regarding ‘Offshore Wind Energy Potential in
Karnataka’ asked by Captain Brijesh Chowta
(a) to (d) National Institute of Wind Energy, an autonomous organisation under Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy, has carried out the offshore wind power resource assessments to
evaluate offshore wind potential in the country including the coast of Karnataka.
Based on meso-scale study, potential offshore wind zones off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil
Nadu have been identified. As per preliminary studies, it has been estimated that about 70 Giga
Watt (GW) offshore wind power potential exists off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
The offshore wind potential estimated based on meso-scale data indicates annual mean wind
speeds of around 4.0–5.3 metre /second (m/s) at 150 metre above sea level (masl) along the
Karnataka coast and around 4 m/s at 150 masl along Dakshina Kannada coast, which are below
commercially viable levels (i.e. 7.5 m/s at 150 masl).
The offshore wind implementation efforts are therefore concentrated on higher wind potential
zones such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
*****