I had the pleasure and opportunity last week to be on the ground at India Energy Week 2025 in New Delhi. The event was a clear showcase of India’s intent to be energy secure and propel green growth. The offshore wind sector sits at the nexus of climate and nature, economic growth, and social impact, and is well-placed to play an important strategic role as India’s energy transition continues apace.
To coincide with India Energy Week, Ocean Energy Pathway, supported by COWI and GWEC, released new analysis showing that achieving the Government’s target of 37GW of offshore wind by 2030 will bring substantial social and economic benefits to India as a whole, and Tamil Nadu in particular. As India advances its National Manufacturing Mission focused on clean tech manufacturing, the report comes at an opportune time showcasing how its southernmost state Tamil Nadu holds the key to delivering up to 6,500 billion INR (72 billion EUR) of economic growth and an additional 805,000 jobs from the offshore wind manufacturing supply chain by 2030.
With a keen eye on the development of offshore wind and clean tech manufacturing in India, I have set out some reflections below on the major announcements from the week.
Partnerships for growth
The formation of a UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce is a welcome development for the clean energy transition in both countries. The Taskforce will focus on advancing offshore wind ecosystem development, supply chains, and financing models in the UK and India. Ocean Energy Pathway looks forward to working alongside stakeholders in both countries (and beyond) to build a supply chain which unlocks the enormous benefits of the energy transition for communities at local, national and international level.
Transition opportunities
Investors at the summit welcomed statements from ministers that the government’s ambitious green hydrogen target of 5 million metric tonnes annual production by 2030 will be met. From replacing coal in steel production to producing green ammonia for fertilizer to hydrogen-run vehicles, green hydrogen is seen as the next major opportunity for India’s energy system. Offshore wind can play a key role here as a consistent, high-capacity energy source for green-hydrogen.
The new National Critical Minerals Mission sets out India’s target of being ‘critical minerals secure’ for meeting its clean energy targets, as well as becoming an energy storage and battery major. The agreements with the US, Sri Lanka, Argentina and others strengthen the potential for integrated storage solutions which could, for example, support round-the-clock power supply from offshore wind farms.
Our recent analysis points to even more impressive long-term potential: by 2040, offshore wind manufacturing (including critical minerals) could contribute total economic growth of 10,700 billion INR (119 billion EUR) and create 1,250,000 full-time jobs across India. However, achieving these benefits requires ongoing strategic support from government and industry.
Offshore wind can play a key role here as a consistent, high-capacity energy source.
Energy security
Energy security was a major theme of the week. India signed several bilateral agreements focused on bolstering energy security, notably with the US and other key gas producing nations. While the event was dominated by oil and gas – renewables, especially offshore wind, got their share of discussion during the UK-India Energy dialogue. India is gearing up to award its first offshore wind project in Gujarat this year through Viability Gap Funding and all eyes are on the progression of the tender and the winning bid. The next few months are crucial for India as we can expect important announcements following the Gujarat tender.
Ocean Energy Pathway will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to support the development of a sustainable, high ambition, offshore wind sector as part of a thriving blue economy, in India and beyond. The potential for clean energy in India is significant and offshore wind will play a pivotal role in India’s energy security and climate ambitions.
Mohana Priya, Country Head, India at Ocean Energy Pathway
