Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta has urged the Central government to accord high priority to offshore wind energy generation along the Mangaluru coastline, citing India’s green energy self-reliance goals and port-led development strategy. Raising the matter in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377, the MP called for the region to be developed as a dedicated offshore wind energy zone.

Chowta said the Mangaluru coastal stretch holds significant untapped potential for offshore wind power and can play a key role in helping India meet its renewable energy targets while also strengthening coastal infrastructure and industrial growth.

Issue raised in Lok Sabha under Rule 377

Mangaluru Raising the issue formally in Parliament, Chowta pointed to scientific and technical assessments that identify the Karnataka coast, particularly the Mangaluru belt, as a promising offshore wind zone. He cited a report by the National Institute of Oceanography which places the Mangaluru coast under India’s offshore wind energy “Zone-2” category.

According to the MP, the identified offshore area spans about 6,490 square kilometres and is considered suitable for wind-based power generation projects. He emphasised that this classification is based on marine and wind resource assessments and should be translated into policy and project-level action.

He urged the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to treat the proposal as a priority and initiate groundwork without delay.

Lower disaster risk strengthens project viability

Mangaluru Chowta told the House that compared to some other coastal belts, the Mangaluru region faces relatively lower risks from major natural disasters such as earthquakes and severe cyclones. This, he said, makes it a safer and more stable location for long-term offshore wind infrastructure.

He contrasted the Arabian Sea coast with the Bay of Bengal region, which is more frequently exposed to cyclonic disturbances. Strengthening offshore wind capacity along the western coast would therefore improve grid resilience and geographic diversification of renewable energy sources, he argued.

He noted that long-gestation energy projects benefit from lower environmental and geological risk profiles, which improve investor confidence and reduce insurance and maintenance costs over time.

New Mangalore Port seen as logistics hub

Mangaluru Highlighting the strategic importance of New Mangalore Port, the MP said the port is well-equipped to support offshore wind energy development from a logistics and operations standpoint. He pointed to the port’s multiple berths, strong cargo-handling capacity and modern infrastructure.

According to Chowta, offshore wind projects require the movement and assembly of very large components such as turbine blades, towers and foundations. Ports with heavy-lift capability and storage space are critical to project execution.

He said New Mangalore Port already has suitable arrangements for handling oversized and heavy cargo and could be developed into a specialised logistics hub for offshore wind projects in the Arabian Sea. This would also generate additional port activity, jobs and ancillary industrial growth in the region.

Strong industrial base supports power offtake

Mangaluru The MP also stressed that Dakshina Kannada has a strong industrial ecosystem that can readily absorb green power generated from offshore wind farms. He listed major industrial establishments in and around Mangaluru, including MRPL, OMPL, UPCL and units in the Mangaluru Special Economic Zone.

The presence of such energy-intensive industries creates a ready local market for renewable electricity, he said. This enables developers to enter into direct power purchase agreements (PPAs), improving revenue certainty and financial viability of projects.

Direct industrial offtake reduces transmission bottlenecks and speeds up project bankability, he added, making offshore wind proposals more attractive to investors and developers.

Rising power demand in Karnataka cited

Mangaluru Drawing attention to the State’s growing electricity needs, Chowta said Karnataka’s peak power demand crossed 18,000 megawatts in early 2025. With demand continuing to rise due to industrial growth, urbanisation and digital infrastructure expansion, diversifying energy sources is essential.

He acknowledged that wind speeds along parts of the Karnataka coast may be lower compared to some high-wind corridors on land. However, he argued that offshore wind technology and turbine design advancements make generation viable even in moderate wind regimes.

Developing offshore wind in the Arabian Sea would strengthen southern India’s long-term energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, he said.

Push towards 500 GW renewable target

Mangaluru Chowta linked the proposal to India’s national goal of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. He said meeting that target would require rapid expansion across solar, onshore wind and offshore wind segments.

He urged the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to immediately begin detailed resource assessments, pilot project planning and stakeholder consultations focused on the Mangaluru offshore belt. Early pilot projects, he suggested, would help validate technical assumptions and attract private participation.

Conclusion

Mangaluru By raising the issue in Parliament, MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has positioned the Mangaluru coast as a potential focal point for India’s offshore wind expansion. With port infrastructure, industrial demand and favourable marine conditions, the region could emerge as a major green energy zone if the Centre moves ahead with assessments and pilot projects. The proposal aligns both with renewable energy goals and port-led coastal development strategy.