Key Takeaways

• India’s non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity exceeds 272 GW, comprising over 141 GW of solar and 55 GW of wind energy.
• The India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce aims to strengthen offshore wind development, critical for achieving India’s renewable energy targets of 500 GW by 2030.
• New initiatives include a Viability Gap Funding scheme of Rs 7,453 crore to support early offshore wind projects.

Renewable Energy Developments in India

Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that India now boasts over 272 GW of non-fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity. This includes more than 141 GW from solar and 55 GW from wind energy. This announcement came during the launch of the ‘India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce,’ highlighting India’s commitment to its ambitious renewable energy target of 500 GW by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The event was attended by UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron. During his address, Joshi noted that India added more than 35 GW of solar and 4.61 GW of wind capacity in the current financial year alone. Furthermore, last year India reached a milestone where 50 percent of its cumulative installed power capacity was derived from non-fossil sources, surpassing its Nationally Determined Contribution commitments five years ahead of schedule.

Joshi stated, “Today, India’s installed non-fossil capacity stands at over 272 GW,” emphasizing the impact of initiatives such as rooftop solar programs. Approximately 3 million households have benefited from rooftop solar installations within a span of two years, and 2.1 million pumps have solarized under the PM-KUSUM scheme.

The minister stressed the importance of the next phase of India’s energy transition, focusing on enhancing reliability, grid stability, industrial depth, and energy security. He identified offshore wind as a crucial component in this transition, with significant zones earmarked near the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Transmission planning for an initial offshore evacuation capacity of 10 GW has already been completed, divided equally between the two states.

To encourage early-stage projects, a Viability Gap Funding scheme with an outlay of Rs 7,453 crore (approximately 710 million pounds) has been introduced. Joshi acknowledged the complexities of developing offshore wind energy, which requires specialized port infrastructure, marine logistics, and robust seabed leasing frameworks. The newly established taskforce is aimed at providing strategic leadership and coordination to bolster India’s offshore wind ecosystem, as outlined in the India-UK Vision 2035 and the Fourth Energy Dialogue.

He highlighted the UK’s leadership in offshore wind and expressed optimism about India’s capacity to contribute through scale and long-term demand. The initiative’s three practical pillars include enhancing ecosystem planning and market design, developing infrastructure and supply chains, and improving financing and risk mitigation strategies.

Joshi also pointed out that offshore wind must be integrated with transmission plans, storage solutions, and emergent coastal green hydrogen clusters. He mentioned that India has set a new benchmark in green hydrogen, with prices falling to a historic low of Rs 279 per kg under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Concluding his address, Joshi referred to the task force as a “trust force,” stressing the confidence in the collaborative potential between India and the UK in overcoming execution challenges in the renewable energy sector.

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