India is poised to make a significant leap in its clean energy ambitions, with the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) preparing to release tenders for 500 MW offshore wind projects each in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat by early 2026.
This move was announced by Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister, MNRE, at a renewable energy event in Chennai recently.
Scaling offshore wind capacity:
Joshi emphasized the government’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, with offshore wind projects expected to contribute substantially to this goal. He outlined that India aims to generate between 100 GW and 110 GW from wind energy, including an ambitious 30 GW from offshore installations.
Highlighting the leadership of states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra in wind energy, Joshi remarked, “The steady humming of wind turbines, especially here in Tamil Nadu, symbolizes India’s clean energy dream.”
Tamil Nadu’s offshore wind potential:
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Electricity and Transport, SS Sivasankar, underlined the state’s formidable offshore wind potential exceeding 35 GW, propelled by robust and consistent wind speeds along its coastline.
Sivasankar shared ongoing preparations for India’s inaugural offshore wind project off Tamil Nadu’s coast, coordinated by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) and facilitated by the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. The minister spotlighted the recent establishment of the Green Transition Alliance (India-Denmark, 2025) as a strategic driver strengthening collaborations in offshore wind, energy storage, and industrial decarbonization.
Enhancing domestic manufacturing and localization:
Minister Joshi underscored the importance of bolstering India’s domestic wind manufacturing ecosystem, urging wind energy stakeholders, including OEMs and component manufacturers, to up the local content from the current 64% to 85%. He noted that fiscal incentives and initiatives for repowering older, less efficient wind farms support the growth trajectory.
With over 2,500 MSMEs involved, India boasts one of the world’s most resilient and competitive wind manufacturing sectors. Domestic production covers key components, including nacelles, blades, and towers, already commanding more than 10% of the global market share. With focused technological advancement and scale, India could capture up to 10% of the global wind supply chain by 2030.
Industry and policy outlook:
Wind energy presently contributes nearly one-fifth of the 257 GW installed renewable capacity. The sector added more than 6 GW of new capacity in the current financial year. The government’s ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) policy will further consolidate local manufacturing leadership for upcoming installations.
