India is endowed with a 71 GW offshore wind potential, as per the assessment by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), but the country is yet to set up its first offshore wind plant. In a timely move, the Government of India has initiated bids for offshore wind development of a 4 GW capacity recently.
The power evacuation would be subsidised by the government to some extent (onshore evacuation). The bid winners are expected to sell the electricity generated from offshore plants directly to consumers, mainly industries, as the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for offshore wind has reached the price level of industries in the high-tariff band defined by distribution companies.
Pursuing India’s offshore wind ambitions is not only about reaching grid parity but also about navigating the complexities of implementation, mitigating risks, and ensuring inclusive development.
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