Current Affairs

India's first offshore wind prototype planned off Thoothukudi

06-10-2026 · English

India's first offshore wind prototype planned off Thoothukudi

Topics: Energy · 6 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

India's first offshore wind prototype will come up in the sea off V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Thoothukudi. A single 6.25 MW turbine will stand about 1,650 m from the inner harbour's southern breakwater at an estimated ₹77 crore. The Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation (IPRCL) has floated the tender (open till 29 Oct 2026; work to finish within 12 months of the award) (reported 5 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Capacity6.25 MW, one turbine (prototype)
CostAbout ₹77 crore
Tendering agencyIPRCL, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
AimHands-on experience in wind assessment, turbine installation, vessel logistics and bringing power ashore
Next stepA 500 MW offshore wind farm planned near VOC Port

Background

  • Why offshore? Winds at sea are stronger and steadier, so turbines yield more power than on land, and no land has to be acquired.
  • National Offshore Wind Energy Policy 2015; target 30 GW by 2030. India's offshore wind potential lies mainly off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
  • June 2024: the Union Cabinet approved a ₹7,453 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for the first 1 GW: 500 MW off Gujarat and 500 MW off Tamil Nadu.
  • The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai (Velachery), under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), leads offshore wind resource studies.

Tamil Nadu link: The Gulf of Mannar – Palk Strait area is one of India's best offshore wind zones. Muppandal in Kanyakumari district is among India's largest onshore wind farms, and Tamil Nadu is a leading wind-power State. The port is named after V.O. Chidambaram Pillai ('Kappalottiya Thamizhan'), who started the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 on the Thoothukudi–Colombo route.

Source: Business Standard (5 Oct 2026); DT Next

Join our UPSC classroom or online batch: UPSC coaching in Coimbatore · Fees · Call 99941 46662.

Share with friends & study groups
Link to this page from your website / blog (HTML code)

TNPSC Achievers

  • SENTHIL KUMAR

    TNPSC TNPSC