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Describing India’s growth trajectory in wind energy as a blend of offshore and onshore projects, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi said the government is seeking Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to
ensure the commercial feasibility of offshore wind power, which has yet to gain traction due to high costs.
While noting the vast potential of offshore wind, he cautioned that it is too early to quantify. However, he drew a comparison between the wind potential off Tamil Nadu’s coast and that of the North Sea, which already hosts 25 GW of operational capacity.
A VGF allocation of ₹6,700 crore has been proposed for offshore wind projects. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) had issued tenders of 1 GW each for
offshore projects off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
While the Gujarat tender was later cancelled, surveys are continuing off Tamil Nadu’s coast, where the MNRE and the state government are conducting round-the-clock wind assessments.
Sarangi said the study is expected to be completed by December, with bids for the Tamil Nadu offshore project likely to be invited in January.
While noting the vast potential of offshore wind, he cautioned that it is too early to quantify. However, he drew a comparison between the wind potential off Tamil Nadu’s coast and that of the North Sea, which already hosts 25 GW of operational capacity.
A VGF allocation of ₹6,700 crore has been proposed for offshore wind projects. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) had issued tenders of 1 GW each for
While the Gujarat tender was later cancelled, surveys are continuing off Tamil Nadu’s coast, where the MNRE and the state government are conducting round-the-clock wind assessments.
Sarangi said the study is expected to be completed by December, with bids for the Tamil Nadu offshore project likely to be invited in January.
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