Onshore and Offshore wind energy: Partners in renewable energy

With a record 117 GW of wind capacity added worldwide in 2024, offshore wind energy and onshore wind energy have become twin pillars of the global push toward carbon neutrality. From salt-sprayed offshore wind farms far at sea to onshore wind farms over sunbaked plains, both harness nature’s free fuel and pour clean power into the grid. Together, these sea-and-land partners are clearing the air and bringing steadier, more affordable electricity to homes and businesses around the world.

But what distinguishes onshore vs offshore wind, and where do costs, performance, and impacts diverge? In the blog ahead, we map the tech, track the numbers, weigh the pros and cons, and show how both breezes can power a greener, reliable future. So, scroll on and let the wind guide you.

Onshore wind energy is electricity generated by wind turbines installed on land. When moving air turns the blades, it spins a generator to produce power that is fed directly into the grid. The International Energy Agency classifies it as a mature and reliable technology.

These turbines are typically placed on plains, hills, or along coastal stretches where wind flows freely. Thanks to taller towers and longer blades generating even more electricity, onshore wind power has grown into one of the most cost-effective renewables, supplying hundreds of gigawatts to the global renewable energy mix. For example, India’s onshore wind capacity reached about 50 GW by early 2025 reflecting a steady rise in wind farm development across multiple states.

Onshore wind energy offers several well-known advantages for generating low-cost renewable energy. As a long-established technology, it has benefited from decades of innovation and cost reduction. Here are some key advantages of onshore wind farms -

Cost-effective - Onshore wind is one of the most affordable forms of renewable energy. It has a lower cost per kilowatt-hour than many sources and is cheaper than offshore wind. Its infrastructure and maintenance costs are low, lowering electricity bills for consumers. In many regions, new onshore wind farms now undercut fossil fuel power plants on price.

Quick to install and maintain - Constructing an onshore wind farm often takes just months. Turbines and components are delivered by road, so no special marine equipment is required. Operation & maintenance remain straightforward since crews access each turbine by land, making routine servicing safer as compared to the offshore wind plants. This lets onshore projects scale quickly to meet growing energy demand.

Overall, offshore wind energy represents the frontier of wind power innovation. It allows countries to tap into vast wind resources over the ocean, without using land space. And are poised to become a major contributor to clean power supplies in coastal regions around the world.

Low environmental impact - Apart from manufacturing and installation, onshore wind farms generate low-cost renewable energy with almost no greenhouse gas emissions. They use no fuel and release no air pollution when operating. Land use impacts stay minimal because turbines occupy a small area and leave room for agricultural activities. With thoughtful site selection and wildlife care, the environmental footprint of onshore wind remains much lower than that of conventional power plants.

Local economic benefits - Onshore wind projects can bring jobs and development to rural areas. Installing and maintaining turbines creates skilled local employment, and landowners often receive lease payments for hosting turbines on their land. The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that wind energy (mostly onshore so far) already employs over 1.2 million people globally. Communities near wind farms may also benefit from improved infrastructure and tax revenues.

Offshore wind energy is electricity made by wind turbines in the sea, typically on the continental shelf. In an offshore wind farm, turbines sit on fixed seabed foundations or operate as floating wind turbines, capturing steady marine winds over open water. Each unit has large blades, a rotor hub, a nacelle, and a tall tower built to withstand salt spray and waves. Undersea cables link turbines to onshore grids, sending power ashore. With stronger and more consistent winds at sea, turbines produce extra power. For example, the Dogger Bank project in the UK, more than 130 km offshore, will deliver 3.6 GW of installed capacity, once completed. Modern floating wind turbines range up to 15 MW and stand over 200 meters tall.

Offshore wind farms present several unique advantages due to their ocean-based locations and stronger wind resources. Despite higher upfront costs, these benefits make offshore wind an increasingly attractive complement to onshore wind. Here are some key advantages of offshore wind:

Stronger and more consistent winds - Wind speeds over the sea are often higher and steadier than on land. As a result, offshore turbines can generate more electricity and achieve capacity factors of around 50%, nearly double the performance of similar onshore farms. This efficiency means that fewer offshore turbines can deliver the same energy as a larger number of onshore turbines.

No land constraints - Because offshore wind farms sit miles from shore, they use no valuable land space, making them ideal for densely populated or land-constrained countries. There are no complaints about noise or visual intrusion. This distant sitting also avoids conflict with other land uses and allows careful protection of marine ecosystems and bird migration corridors.

Huge installation space and scalability - The ocean offers a vast area for offshore wind farms. Developers can space turbines freely, capturing more wind without land obstacles. This open water supports gigawatt-scale capacity projects, and, as floating turbines reach deeper waters, even more sites open up. The scalability of offshore wind drives high renewable energy targets. For instance, India aims for 30 - 37 GW by 2030, a goal only possible with the ocean’s vast space.

Economic development and jobs - Investing in offshore wind can boost local economies and create multiple job opportunities through a strong supply chain from turbine manufacturing to port upgrades. India views offshore wind as a growing industry that attracts investment and expertise to its renewable energy sector. Moreover, once operational, these farms deliver clean power for decades, enhancing energy security and helping to stabilize electricity prices.

Onshore and offshore wind energy might differ in setting, but fundamentally, they share the same purpose and technology. Both are forms of wind power that convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using large wind turbines.

Around the world, countries are expanding wind capacity to meet renewable energy targets and cut carbon emissions. Together, onshore and offshore wind accounted for over 900 GW of global installed capacity by 2023, and that figure continues to grow.

Contribution to climate goals - Both forms of wind energy are playing major roles in the transition to sustainable energy. Countries around the world are expanding wind power capacity (onshore and offshore) to meet renewable energy targets and reduce carbon emissions. Together, onshore and offshore wind accounted for over 1,000 GW of global installed capacity in 2024, and that figure continues to grow. It is also said that another 981 GW of wind energy capacity will be added across the world by 2030.

Despite their similarities, there are clear differences between onshore and offshore wind energy projects. These differences stem mainly from the physical environment (land vs. water) and have implications for project costs, technical requirements, and performance.

The future of wind energy looks bright as both onshore wind and offshore wind prepare to power a cleaner world. Advances in turbine design - from smarter control systems to taller, more efficient blades- are cutting costs and opening new sites. The International Energy Agency forecasts that wind and solar will lead to new power additions through 2030, lifting the share of renewable energy to about 50% in major markets. Clearly, wind is moving towards becoming a central solution for a sustainable future.

In India, the outlook is equally exciting. The country ranks fourth globally with over 50 GW of onshore wind installed by early 2025. The country’s wind sector is poised for major growth. As of May 2025, the country had 51,292 MW of installed wind capacity. India has also pledged to achieve 50% of cumulative installed capacity from non-fossil resources by 2030, part of its climate commitments under the Paris Accord. Projects like FOWIND have helped in mapping coastal zones in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to facilitate the rollout of the first offshore farms.

In 2024, India invited bids for its first commercial offshore wind sites, aiming to install 4 GW off the coast of Tamil Nadu. Each planned turbine could be about 15 MW, using the latest technology. The government plans auctions to allocate 37 GW of offshore capacity by 2030, rolling out blocks of 4 GW per year before ramping up.

On the onshore front, India continues to add new wind farms and also upgrade older ones. One emerging trend is hybrid projects – combining wind and solar installations to provide more consistent power output. According to a recent government report, India has tens of gigawatts of renewable projects under development, including round-the-clock renewable energy schemes that pair renewables with storage. Such innovations will help address the intermittency of wind and ensure wind power remains a reliable part of the grid in the future.

Building all these farms also means stronger transmission lines and smarter grids. India’s Central Transmission Utility and regulators are planning new high-voltage corridors from high-wind zones and coastal hubs to major demand centers. This network will help future wind farms deliver their full potential without curtailment.

By blending proven onshore growth with bold offshore steps, India will meet its renewable energy targets and fuel economic growth with clean power. As more countries follow, wind energy on land and at sea will lead to a shift away from carbon emissions.

At Tata Power, the wind has become a trusted partner, delivering a clean 1,030 MW of energy that powers homes and industry across India. From coastal gusts to inland currents, its turbines quietly capture every breeze and turn it into electricity you can count on day and night.

Of this total, 812.85 MW flows from stand-alone farms feeding the grid around the clock. Another 196.15 MW comes from hybrid sites that blend wind with solar. 96.15 MW at TPGEL’s farms in Khandke, Supa, Bramanvel and Sadawaghapur, and 100 MW at the breezy Koral park under TP Saurya.

A focused 21 MW group-captive plant at Vagarai rounds out the mix by supplying green power directly to select industries. This balanced portfolio shows how Tata Power is making clean energy simple, steady and ready for tomorrow.

A collaboration to explore offshore wind opportunities

Tata Power and Germany’s RWE joined forces to explore offshore wind opportunities in India. By combining Tata Power’s deep local knowledge with RWE’s two decades of global offshore wind experience, they aimed to develop projects off the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. This partnership, formalized in early 2022, aligns with India’s goal of reaching 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

By combining forces, Tata Power and RWE intended to establish a competitive offshore wind market in India from the ground up. Tata Power’s CEO, Dr. Praveer Sinha, highlighted that with India’s “heightened focus on offshore wind farms to address the country’s expanding electricity demands,” the collaboration with RWE is especially significant.

When it comes to onshore wind energy, Tata Power has been a pioneer. The company has built an installed capacity of about 1,034 MW across seven states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Major installations like the Pratapgarh Wind Farm (126 MW) and the Kodal Wind Farm (102.6 MW). This experience has given Tata Power strong in-house skills in project development, renewable energy operations, and maintenance.

Integration with broader strategy

Tata Power’s wind ventures, both onshore and offshore, fit into its larger strategy of clean energy growth. They have committed to a substantial increase in renewable energy generation mix over the next decade, and wind energy is a major component of that. For example, a MoU signed in 2022 with the Andhra Pradesh state government outlined plans for 7,000 MW of renewable projects, including wind, which shows Tata Power’s intent to keep investing heavily in wind capacity alongside solar

The company not only builds its own projects but also provides EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) and O&M services for wind farms, capitalizing on its experience

Tata Power’s journey in wind energy illustrates the evolving landscape of India’s renewable sector. As India’s offshore wind farms in India move from concept to reality in the coming years, Tata Power’s projects and partnerships will likely be at the heart of this exciting development.

Discover the wind’s force with Tata Power

Both onshore wind energy and offshore wind energy are essential pillars of the global clean power transition. Onshore wind farms deliver cost-effective, mature solutions that can be deployed rapidly using existing infrastructure. Offshore wind farms, though costlier, unlock higher yields, larger turbine platforms, and vast new sites at sea. In India and worldwide, policy support, technological innovation, and finance will shape how these two forms of wind power expand. By understanding each type’s strengths and challenges, planners and investors can choose the right mix of onshore and offshore resources to meet growing energy needs sustainably.