Tapping India’s offshore wind potential
India’s dormant offshore wind power sector may soon become a hotbed of action. The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has revived its offshore wind power development goals by unveiling a roadmap for installing 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, just as project costs are falling globally.
For three years from FY23, the MNRE’s implementing agency will invite bids for 4GW project capacity annually for development off the coast of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. After three years, the bids’ project capacity will be 5GW annually till FY30. The tender for the development of the first 4GW off the coast of Tamil Nadu may come as soon as the next 3-4 months.
The MNRE’s announcement comes when offshore wind emerges as a new and viable clean energy solution globally. For example, China installed 16.9GW of offshore capacity in 2021 or roughly 30% of the 57.1GW global operational capacity.
