Lok Sabha Question No. 270 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Offshore Wind Energy Projects in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 270

ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU

*270. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of New and Renewable Energy be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the offshore wind energy projects proposed along the Tamil Nadu coast and the Gulf of Mannar and adjoining regions;
- (b) whether tenders under the offshore wind Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme have been finalised and if so, the details and the capacity proposed for Tamil Nadu;
- (c) the details of financial support approved or proposed under central offshore wind programmes including VGF assistance; and
- (d) the timeline for commissioning of the offshore wind projects and their integration with existing renewable energy infrastructure in Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, & FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 270 to  be  answered on 11.03.2026 regarding 'Offshore Wind Energy Projects in Tamil Nadu' asked by Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

(a) to (d):  Government has taken several steps to develop offshore wind power projects in the country including in the state of Tamil Nadu. These, inter alia , include:

- Notification of 'Offshore Wind Energy Policy' in October 2015 to provide framework for the development of offshore wind energy in the country.
- The Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023 have been notified to regulate the grant of lease of offshore areas for development of offshore wind energy projects.
- For initial phase of developments, 08 potential offshore wind zones each off the coast Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have been identified through meso-scale study. Subsequently, 14 sub zones have been demarcated off the coast of Tamil Nadu through detailed Marine Spatial Planning (MSP).
- Geotechnical study at three bore hole locations carried out off Tamil Nadu coast. Further, 4 LiDARs off Tamil Nadu coast installed for wind resource measurement. Offshore metocean field studies and Geophysical & Geotechnical investigation for a 500 MW capacity site off Tamil Nadu coast has also been completed.
- Central Transmission Utility (CTU) has completed the planning for initial 10 GW offshore transmission capacity (05 GW each off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coast).
- Government has launched the 'Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects' with total outlay of ₹ 7453 crore. MNRE has issued Scheme Guidelines for implementation of 'VGF Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects' vide sanction dated 11.09.2024.
- Offshore Wind has been included in the list of activities to be considered for trading of Carbon Credits under bilateral/co-operative approaches as per Article 6.2 Mechanism of Paris Agreement.
- Waiver  of  Inter-State  Transmission  (ISTS)  Charges  along  with  waiver  of  additional surcharges for open access consumers for offshore wind power projects commissioned on or before 31.12.2032.

To facilitate the development of offshore wind projects in Gulf of Munnar off Tamil coast, National Institute  of  Wind  Energy  (NIWE)  has  installed  floating  LiDAR  buoy  for  the  wind  resource assessment of 500 MW equivalent site off Tamil Nadu coast.   The tender for the development of offshore wind project off Tamil Nadu site is yet to be finalised and is linked to the outcomes of wind resource assessment and other studies.

Under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects, ₹ 6853 crore earmarked for installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects and grant of ₹ 600 crore for upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects. The first tender for development of 500 MW offshore wind energy project off Gujarat coast issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on 13.09.2024. The tender was closed on 31.07.2025 (last date of bid submission) without receipt of any bids.

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