To bolster India’s clean energy ambitions, the Power Grid Corporation of India has initiated the tendering process for laying undersea power cables off the coast of Gujarat, aimed at supporting the country’s first offshore wind energy project under the Viability Gap Funding mechanism.
This critical infrastructure project, valued at approximately ₹6,900 crore, marks a foundational milestone in developing offshore renewable power and is expected to significantly enhance India’s energy mix by March 2029. The transmission infrastructure being developed is part of the first 500 MW capacity offshore wind zone located in subzone B3, approximately 23 kilometres south of Pipavav port. The project will include two 300 MVA, 220 kV undersea export cables stretching 35 kilometres and an additional 10 kilometres of high-capacity underground land cables. The cable system is designed to evacuate power generated from offshore turbines via a 500 MW unmanned substation stationed roughly 20 kilometres from the Gujarat coastline. The project will link to the Mahuva Onshore Pooling Station through a robust transmission network, ensuring grid stability and readiness for future wind energy integration.
While much of India’s renewable energy focus has traditionally centred on onshore wind and solar energy, the foray into offshore wind marks a turning point in harnessing the country’s vast maritime potential. With the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy identifying around 30 GW of offshore wind capacity along the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, this early-stage infrastructure is crucial in laying the groundwork for future expansion. The success of this pilot will not only serve as a model for replicable projects along the Indian coastline but will also affirm India’s commitment to the global climate agenda and to meeting its net-zero targets.
The scope of the project includes building a 2×500 MVA 400/220 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) pooling station, an advanced 765/400 kV switchyard, and over 190 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines. Additional components such as STATCOM units, line reactors, and transition bays will strengthen the grid and support seamless evacuation and balancing of intermittent wind energy. The regulated tariff mechanism adopted for this project underlines the importance of a stable and transparent policy framework in attracting both domestic and international developers to India’s green infrastructure.
Bids for the undersea cable package are now open through a global competitive process and are expected to draw attention from major players in subsea cable technology. As India charts a course toward becoming a renewable energy powerhouse, developments such as these not only signal a technical leap but also a strategic commitment to future-ready infrastructure, sustainable urbanisation, and a greener economy. The successful deployment of this project will act as a catalyst for further investment in offshore wind and reinforce India’s stature in the global clean energy transition.
India strengthens its clean energy path through Gujarat offshore wind power project
