Wind Power Density Projections for the Indian Offshore Region: Annual and Seasonal Changes

Offshore wind energy offers a sustainable solution for India’s transition from fossil fuels. Understanding how wind resources may vary under future climate conditions is essential for effective planning and development. This study assesses projected offshore wind power density (WPD) in the Indian offshore region using daily wind speeds from 13 CMIP6 global climate models under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Quantile mapping bias-correction, using ERA5 reanalysis as the reference, was applied to improve model performance, and multi-model ensemble results were analysed for historical (1990–2014) and future periods. The findings reveal distinct spatial and seasonal variability in future WPD. A dipole-like pattern persists, with WPD reductions in the northwest Arabian Sea and moderate increases along the southwest coast of India, particularly during the monsoon season. Under SSP5-8.5, non-monsoon seasons show widespread declines by 2100. These results highlight the importance of incorporating climate-responsive planning and robust bias-correction practices to ensure sustainable offshore wind development in India.