The central government has set a 37 GW offshore wind target for 2030 and has approved Rs 7.45 billion viability gap funding package. Of this funding, roughly Rs 6.85 billion is dedicated to supporting the installation and commissioning of the initial 1 GW of capacity. With identified zones along the Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts showing high resource potential, there is a growing focus on preliminary assessments to build the required transmission infrastructure. The Central Electricity Authority has also proposed dedicated transmission corridors to integrate offshore wind power by the end of the decade.
Transmission design and configuration
The choice between high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies is influenced by project distance from the shore, transmission capacity and overall efficiency. For sites within roughly 50 km of the coastline, HVAC networks are generally more economical due to simpler design and installation. For longer distances and higher capacities, HVDC systems provide lower transmission losses and are more suitable for bulk power evacuation.
In case of India, several offshore blocks, particularly along Tamil Nadu, are located relatively farther from the coastline and are, therefore, likely to require HVDC technology. Technical studies comparing HVAC and HVDC configurations are underway, with assessments considering seabed contours, sea depth, environmental conditions and long-term operational costs. Offshore substations will serve as the key nodes in this system, collecting power from turbine arrays, stepping up voltage and feeding export cables. Given the corrosive marine environment, these substations will rely on specialised materials and advanced insulation systems.
Evacuation framework
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in the Strategy Paper for Establishment of Offshore Wind Energy Projects, has established a split-responsibility model for offshore wind evacuation. Developers will build and operate the internal project network up to the offshore pooling. This includes inter-array cables and connections to the offshore substation at voltage levels defined by the central transmission utility (CTU). Beyond this point, the CTU will develop all export transmission assets, including submarine cables, offshore substations and onshore receiving infrastructure.
To support early commercial development, offshore wind projects commissioned by December 31, 2032 will be exempt from ISTS charges and additional surcharges, significantly reducing evacuation costs and enhancing the financial viability of initial projects.
Current progress
India’s first major step toward offshore wind transmission development came with the government’s July 2025 approval of a dedicated evacuation system for Gujarat’s initial offshore wind project. Powergrid will implement this system under the regulated tariff mechanism at an estimated cost of Rs 6.9 billion. The project is designed to evacuate 500 MW from the offshore wind zone and includes an offshore substation, 35 km of subsea cable, 10 km of underground cable and a 190 km 400 kV line from Mahuva to Vataman. Expected to be completed by March 2029, this will form the template for future offshore transmission networks and provide critical insights into subsea engineering, route surveys and coordination between multiple agencies.
India is preparing to launch its first offshore wind tender for Tamil Nadu by February 2026, backed by strong wind assessment results that indicate robust resource potential. Although Solar Energy Corporation of India’s earlier offshore wind tenders were cancelled in August 2025 due to limited developer interest, the upcoming Tamil Nadu tender is expected to revive momentum in the sector.
The way forward
Global offshore wind leaders such as UK, Germany and the Netherlands have demonstrated that strong, centralised transmission planning is essential for large-scale offshore deployment. India’s centralised and phased approach is aligned with these global best practices and has been reinforced by collaborative efforts such as the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce, which focuses on supply chain development, financing and ecosystem building.
Going ahead, India’s transmission strategy will need to remain flexible as technology evolves. Hybrid HVAC-HVDC systems, offshore energy hubs and potential regional interconnections may shape future phases of development. A robust, timely and well-coordinated transmission system is essential to maintain investor confidence. Offshore transmission must also be planned to manage intermittency, which will require integration with storage solutions and grid-balancing mechanisms. Dedicated corridors and offshore pooling stations must be developed well ahead of wind farm construction to avoid bottlenecks.
With the current foundation of structured planning, public investment and regulatory clarity, India is positioned to build a resilient offshore transmission network that can support the next stage of its clean energy expansion.
Aastha Sharma
