New Energy Frontiers
Offshore Wind
Why wind turbines at sea produce stronger, steadier power, why offshore wind is expensive, and India's plans off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Offshore wind places turbines at sea, where winds are stronger and steadier.
Global leaders
- UK, China and Germany have large offshore wind fleets.
- Turbines are now huge, over 15 MW each.
Benefits
- Higher capacity factors than onshore wind.
- No land acquisition.
- Can be near coastal cities.
Costs
- Foundations, cables and installation vessels are expensive.
- Harsh conditions raise maintenance costs.
- Costs have fallen but remain higher than onshore wind and solar.
India’s plans
- Potential off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
- Target of 30 GW by 2030, though progress has been slow.
- In 2024, the government approved viability gap funding of around 7,453 crore rupees for the first 1 GW of projects.
Challenges
- Ports and vessels for installation.
- Seabed leasing and fishing impacts.
- Cyclones.
Global setbacks
In the US, some offshore projects were cancelled or halted after 2023 due to rising costs and policy shifts.
The first project
A developer bids to build India's first offshore wind farm off Tamil Nadu, relying on viability gap funding to make the tariff affordable.
Thinking offshore wind is as cheap as solar
It remains more expensive, though it produces steadier power.
Key takeaways
- Offshore wind uses stronger, steadier sea winds.
- It's costlier than onshore wind and solar.
- India targets 30 GW by 2030; progress is slow.
- Viability gap funding supports the first 1 GW.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.