Tapping the wind

Govt support will help wind-energy projects

It is well recognised that harnessing offshore wind energy can accelerate India’s energy transition. Introducing offshore wind in the renewable-energy mix can support power management during peak load hours in both monsoon and non-monsoon months. In this context, the Union Cabinet’s recent decision to provide viability-gap funding (VGF) for implementing offshore wind-energy projects must be welcomed. The government outlay for this purpose is fixed at Rs 7,453 crore, including Rs 6,853 crore for installing and commissioning 1 gigawatt (Gw) of offshore wind-energy projects, and a grant of Rs 600 crore for the upgrade of two ports to