India–UK Launch Offshore Wind Taskforce to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition; Pralhad Joshi Calls It a ‘Trustforce’ Under Vision 2035 Cooperation

India and the United Kingdom have launched the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce to accelerate strategic cooperation in clean energy, with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi describing it as a “Trustforce” aimed at delivering practical, time-bound outcomes.

The launch event was attended by the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron.

Addressing the gathering, Joshi said the Taskforce reflects the mutual confidence of both nations in tackling execution challenges in offshore wind development. He stressed that the platform must focus on measurable milestones and convert global best practices into solutions suited to Indian conditions.

Constituted under Vision 2035 and the Fourth Energy Dialogue, the Taskforce is designed as a working mechanism to provide strategic leadership and coordination for India’s offshore wind sector. Joshi noted that while the UK has established global leadership in scaling offshore wind and building mature supply chains, India offers large-scale demand and a rapidly expanding clean energy ecosystem.

The Minister outlined three priority areas for cooperation: ecosystem planning and market design, including seabed leasing frameworks and revenue-certainty mechanisms; infrastructure and supply chain development, such as port modernisation, domestic manufacturing and specialised vessels; and financing solutions, including blended finance structures and long-term institutional capital mobilisation.

Highlighting offshore wind as a potential strategic pillar of India’s next phase of energy transition, Joshi said promising zones have been identified off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Preliminary studies, surveys and grid planning for initial projects have been undertaken by the National Institute of Wind Energy.

To support early-stage projects, the government has introduced a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme with a total outlay of ₹7,453 crore (approximately £710 million). Joshi acknowledged that offshore wind remains one of the most complex segments of the global energy transition, requiring advanced port infrastructure, marine logistics, robust leasing frameworks and bankable commercial structures.

The Minister also highlighted the synergy between offshore wind and India’s green hydrogen ambitions under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. He said offshore wind can provide high-quality renewable power to coastal industrial clusters, strengthening energy security and competitiveness.

India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity has surpassed 272 GW, including over 141 GW of solar and 55 GW of wind capacity. In the current financial year alone, the country has added more than 35 GW of solar and 4.61 GW of wind capacity, Joshi said.

He concluded that offshore wind could emerge as a key pillar of India’s clean and self-reliant energy future, while serving as a flagship initiative under India–UK cooperation through Vision 2035.