India has significant potential for offshore wind energy, estimated at 127 GW, which may be leveraged to address its electricity demand and supply mismatch. However, challenges include high installation costs, insufficient data for site assessment, inadequate port infrastructure, and a need for improved regulatory frameworks. Collaborations with countries like Denmark aim to bolster the offshore wind sector, reflecting a global trend towards accelerated growth and investment in this renewable energy source.

1. Offshore Wind Energy
Sanjay H. Indulkar
IndoAsia Partners
91 9867161367
indoasiapartner@asia.com
www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-
harishchandra-indulkar
Electricity demand & supply
mismatch in INDIA has been
at its peak for the last few
years and with the economy
experiencing 7-8 % growth
rates, opportunities
Estimated 127 GW of
offshore wind energy
potential, time may just be
right to shift gears on the
underutilised offshore
capability of the country.
National Offshore Wind
Energy Policy: India
https://mnre.gov.in/file-
manager/UserFiles/National-
Offshore-Wind-Energy-
Policy.pd
Maritime Zones
Indian territorial waters,
which generally extend up
to 12 nautical miles (nm)
from the baseline; and
Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ), beyond the 12 nm
limit and up to 200 nm,
where under international
law, India has right
construct structures such as
wind farm installations Wind
resource data collected for
the coastline of
Rameshwaram and
Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu
and Gujarat Coast shows
reasonable potential
20-04-2019 23:44:51
Challenges: Offshore wind business comes with its own set of
challenges and the situation in India may not be very different.
a. the installation cost for offshore projects is much higher as
compared to that of onshore and in India costs may be higher
owing to various factors like absence of adequate turbine
installation and support vessels, lack of sub-structure and
manufacturers and lack of trained manpower
b. the data required for assessment of offshore wind potential and
identification of suitable sites is not fully developed, especially
important data like wind resource map and bathymetric data.
c. Existing ports need to be adequately equipped to ensure
installation and transportation works can take place effectively.
d. the supply chain logistics need to be developed appropriately at
strategic ports
e. credit risk cover concerns due to absence of land, which forms an
integral part of the security package for the onshore wind
projects need to be addressed;
f. The regulatory framework needs to be recalibrated to the extent
required.
Offshore wind projects increasingly attractive compared to land-
based farms:
a. Offshore wind turbines are generally more efficient than their
onshore counterparts because wind speed and direction over
the water are more consistent. Theoretically fewer turbines are
needed to generate the same amount of electricity as onshore
turbines.
b. Offshore wind does not suffer from the “not in my back yard”
(NIMBY) argument from state residents (and subsequent legal
battles), as farms are generally located in federal waters
c. Whereas onshore wind farms require land which can be
otherwise used for agriculture, construction, and recreation,
offshore wind does not interfere with land use.
d. In fact, environmental conservation groups have hailed offshore
wind turbines for their role in revitalizing coastal ecosystems.
India and Denmark to Work Together in the Offshore Wind
Sector: The cabinet has approved a letter of intent to
establish an Indo-Danish Canter of Excellence for
renewable energy in India
Global Status
Over 8.7 GW offshore wind capacity has already been installed
around the world and approximately an equal capacity is under
construction.
As Global Energy Demands Grows, So Does Appetite For
Offshore Wind
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), global growth
in offshore wind energy will continue to accelerate, with total
installed capacity rising from 19.2 GW in 2017 to 520 GW in
2050. IRENA also projects the cumulative investments in offshore
wind to reach $350 billion by 2030 and $1.47 trillion by 2050.