India Aims for Global Leadership with 30 GW Offshore Wind Target by 2030

India Aims 30 GW Offshore Wind Power by 2030

India- the world's fifth-largest economy and third-largest electricity producer, is making stomp in renewable energy along with the second-largest population. The fourth largest installed wind power country in the world with 45.887 GW of onshore wind power capacity. India is setting its sights on offshore wind energy as part of a larger goal to industrialize and expand its global role. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, requires 16 GW to be installed annually to meet the target of 140 GW.

The global offshore wind market size is around 75 GW but India has no installed offshore wind capacity despite skyrocketing investments in renewable energy, solar, and onshore wind. With nearly 7600 km of coastline surrounded by water on three sides and has good potential for harnessing offshore wind energy. Indian government is aiming to add 100 GW of wind energy with 30 GW coming from offshore wind.

Offshore Wind Potential in India and Government Initiative

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MNRE estimates that India's offshore wind potential is nearly 70 GW, split between Gujarat (36 GW) and Tamil Nadu (35 GW). As strategies, the Government of India has approved the procedures and framework for the country's first offshore through the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme.

Gujarat 500 MW Wind Farm Project, Issued by SCEI

Gujarat the leading province of India's wind energy sector, has seen a tenfold increase in wind power capacity in the past six years and currently contributes about 23.9% of India's total installed wind power capacity.

Advantages of Gujarat wind power development

Firstly, Gujarat serves as the gateway to India's western and core states. It is blessed with the longest coastline among the maritime states of India. It has 48 minor ports and one major port spread over 1,600 km. Its geographical location, and strong industrial base positions Gujarat as a hub for India's wind power expansion. In line with these strengths, the Indian government has launched tenders for a 500 MW offshore wind farm off the coast of Gujarat that will span 202 square kilometers in the Gulf of Khambat to accelerate its offshore wind energy goals.


Government and private companies have taken the initiative to work together to implement the project. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a working agency under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is overseeing the Gujarat 500 MW tender. In this agreement, build-own developers are invited to submit bids for the construction of wind farms under the Operate model for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Additionally, India approved a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme allocating USD 892 million to support offshore wind projects.

Tamil Nadu 4 GW Offshore Wind Farm Project

Tamil Nadu 4 GW Offshore Wind Farm: Photo Onshore Wind Farm, Tamil Nadu, Gettry

After Gujarat, Tamil Nadu serves as a prime location for India's second offshore wind power. There are significant reasons for this, the province is the second richest state in terms of GDP and the second largest economy, with the largest number of factories in the country.

Tamil Nadu is the second with 15% of the country's total coastline and unique wind patterns generated by the sea, making it ideal for wind power generation. It is called the home of India's largest wind turbine, with a capacity of 4.2 MW and favorable wind conditions for continuous power generation along with neighboring states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

In this context, recently, the Indian government invited bids to develop 4 GW of offshore wind power off the coast of Tamil Nadu, divided into four 1 GW blocks.

Viability Gap Funding Scheme India for Offshore Wind

Viability Gap Funding Scheme India for Offshore Wind, Photo: Narendra Modi, X

In a major development for a 500 GW renewable energy target by 2040 in India, the Modi government has approved the VGF scheme for offshore wind projects, with a total allocation of $890 million. This includes $690 million for the installation and commissioning of 1 gigawatt (GW) of offshore wind capacity, along with a $60 million grant to upgrade to support the logistical needs of these projects.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the India Offshore Wind Working Group have expressed strong support for the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme to achieve offshore wind energy targets in India.

As highlighted in the GWEC Offshore Wind Report 2024, India is expected to contribute 3% of the Asia-Pacific region’s offshore wind capacity between 2024 and 2033, aligning with its clean energy targets. India’s National Institute of Wind Energy has estimated over 70 GW of offshore wind potential along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

The VGF scheme, in combination with the "National Offshore Wind Energy Policy 2015," represents a significant advancement in India’s renewable energy strategy to add 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, with 50% of its energy requirements.

India Offshore Wind Capacity Target 2030

IEA. License: CC BY 4.0

India, with 45 GW of installed offshore wind capacity—comprising roughly 25% of its non-fossil renewable energy capacity—is setting ambitious goals for offshore wind development by 2030, targeting to reach 30 GW. The Danish Energy Agency, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has identified 15 potential locations for offshore wind projects, including 14 in Tamil Nadu (southeastern India) and 1 in Gujarat (northwestern India). The Indian government estimates that these two states alone hold a potential of around 70 GW of offshore wind power—the existing 64 GW capacity globally—enough to supply electricity to over 50 million homes.

Can India achieve 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030? India achieved record gains by surpassing their previous solar and onshore wind targets. So, we see great potential for achievement. With the concerted efforts of various institutions and joint ventures, the 30 GW target for offshore wind power is achievable.

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