OMNI Features｜Fatal Onshore Wind Turbine Blade Accident Highlights Offshore Wind Safety Concerns．India's Wind Power Surge: Aiming for 100 GW by 2030．US Could Miss Out on USD 75 Billion in Offshore Wind Investment

｜Fatal Onshore Wind Turbine Blade Accident Highlights Offshore Wind Safety Concerns
A fatal accident involving an onshore wind turbine occurred on May 2 in Akita Prefecture, Japan. An 81-year-old man was found lying unconscious approximately one meter from a fallen turbine blade and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The turbine, operated by a Tokyo-based company, is equipped with three blades, each measuring 41 meters in length and mounted approximately 80 meters above ground.

At around 10 a.m. on the day of the incident, the maximum instantaneous wind speed reached 20.3 meters per second (approximately 73 km/h). One of the 3 blades fractured and fell due to the strong wind conditions.

The 1.99 MW onshore turbine has been in operation since 2009. In December 2010, a lightning strike caused partial blade damage, prompting a full replacement of all blades. The operator stated that the turbine undergoes two comprehensive inspections annually. No abnormalities were detected during the most recent inspections in November 2024 and March 2025.

｜India's Wind Power Surge: Aiming for 100 GW by 2030
According to the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), India has set a target of achieving 100 GW in offshore wind power installed capacity by 2030. As of March 2025, the country's total wind power capacity has exceeded 50 GW. IWTMA stated that the wind energy sector is aligning with the government’s clean energy policies by expanding production capacity, advancing technological innovation, and enhancing workforce training. In recent discussions with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the industry reaffirmed its support for the "Make in India" initiative.

India currently possesses an annual domestic manufacturing capacity of over 18 GW for wind turbine components, with key contributions from companies such as Suzlon, Siemens Gamesa, and GE Vernova. This momentum is expected to drive further offshore wind collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, the renewable energy sector in India is projected to see a 19% increase in workforce demand by 2025, creating green-collar job opportunities for the country's youth.

｜US Could Miss Out on USD 75 Billion in Offshore Wind Investment – IntelStor Analysis
According to IntelStor, recent policy changes affecting offshore wind projects in the United States, including the imposition of tariffs and the suspension or cancellation of certain projects, may place over USD 75 billion in investment at risk, with the majority comprising foreign direct investment (FDI).

In January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating a comprehensive moratorium on offshore wind leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), while also instructing federal agencies to review the current permitting framework. Subsequently, in April of the same year, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), under the U.S. Department of the Interior, announced the suspension of the Empire Wind 1 project off the coast of New York. Norwegian developer Equinor immediately complied by halting offshore operations related to the project. These developments have significantly undermined foreign investor confidence and disrupted supply chain planning.

Reference: The Japan News｜Devdiscourse｜Offshorewind Biz