Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, launched the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce in the presence of the Rt Hon Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. David Lammy, and British High Commissioner to India, Ms. Lindy Cameron.
Calling the initiative a “Trustforce,” Shri Joshi said it shows confidence that India and the UK can work together to address real execution challenges. He stressed that the platform must deliver time-bound workstreams, measurable milestones, and visible progress, converting international lessons into solutions suitable for India.
The Minister described the Taskforce as a working mechanism, not a symbolic platform. Constituted under Vision 2035 and the Fourth Energy Dialogue, it will provide strategic leadership and coordination for India’s offshore wind ecosystem. While the UK has global experience in scaling offshore wind and developing supply chains, India brings scale, long-term demand, and a fast-growing clean energy market, he noted.
Three Pillars of Cooperation
Shri Joshi outlined three key areas for collaboration:
- Ecosystem Planning and Market Design – including refined seabed leasing frameworks and credible revenue-certainty mechanisms.
- Infrastructure and Supply Chains – including port modernisation, local manufacturing, and specialised vessels.
- Financing and Risk Mitigation – through blended finance structures and mobilising long-term institutional capital.
Strategic Role of Offshore Wind
The Minister highlighted offshore wind’s strategic importance for grid stability, reliability, industrial growth, and energy security. Promising zones have been identified off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with studies and surveys completed by the National Institute of Wind Energy.
To support early projects, the government has introduced a Viability Gap Funding scheme with a total outlay of ₹7,453 crore (~£710 million). Shri Joshi noted offshore wind is complex, requiring specialised port infrastructure, marine logistics, clear risk allocation, and bankable commercial structures.
Synergy with Green Hydrogen
Shri Joshi said that offshore wind can help India reach its green hydrogen goals, with prices for hydrogen and ammonia reaching record lows of ₹279/kg (~£2.65/kg) and ₹49.75/kg (~£0.47/kg), respectively. Offshore wind can give coastal industrial and green hydrogen clusters high-quality renewable energy, which will make energy more secure and businesses more competitive.
India’s Renewable Growth
India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 272 GW, including 141 GW solar and 55 GW wind. In the current financial year, India added over 35 GW solar and 4.61 GW wind. Shri Joshi concluded that with clarity and commitment, offshore wind can become a key pillar of India’s clean, reliable, and self-reliant energy future, and a flagship of India–UK cooperation under Vision 2035.
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