Offshore floating platform proposed along Keralam coast to protect coastline, harness clean energy

As rising sea levels driven by climate change make life increasingly difficult along Keralam’s sprawling coastline, an ambitious project involving multinational agencies is in the pipeline to transform the vulnerable coastlines into engines of prosperity. The project aims at mitigating the impact of rough sea conditions while harnessing renewable energy from waves, winds and solar radiation, along with promoting sustainable blue economy development.

The project, involving the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) in association with Poul Consult, Norway; Windside, Finland; and the University of Salento, Italy, proposes the development and deployment of a pilot-scale multipurpose offshore floating platform (MOFP) for sea trials along Keralam’s coast.

Power generation

With the active support of premier institutions such as IIT Madras, the project team plans to combine coastal protection with renewable energy generation by reducing wave forces reaching the shore and harnessing wave energy at the project site for power generation.

The integrated offshore ecosystem will also support aquaculture, seaweed cultivation, renewable energy, safe coastal navigation, recreational facilities, hydrogen production, and other sustainable blue economy activities. The concept seeks to turn coastal resilience into a catalyst for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community development.

According to Jayakumar, former managing director and CEO of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited and a veteran in renewable energy and blue economy, and Jiju Poulose, a Keralam-born offshore infrastructure specialist based in Norway, the ULCCS, in association with institutions in the European Union, has submitted an ‘Expression of Interest’ proposal at the ‘Blue Tides’ Kerala–European Union Conclave 2025 held in Thiruvananthapuram.

The MOFP comprises steel tubular structures measuring 200 metres to 250 metres in overall length. Tethered directly to the seabed, the platforms will be positioned near-parallel to the shoreline. By reducing destructive wave forces before they reach the coast, the structures are expected to protect coastal settlements, transportation networks, and land resources while creating productive economic assets offshore.

Calm-water zones

The MOFP systems will create extensive calm-water zones that would otherwise be difficult to establish in open-sea environments. These sheltered waters could support marine fish farming, shellfish cultivation, seaweed production, floating solar photovoltaic systems, marine logistics facilities, research and innovation platforms, and future offshore industrial infrastructure. The project, Dr. Jayakumar said, would effectively create a new productive economic corridor along Keralam’s coastline.

A major component is the integration of renewable energy generation within the protected marine corridor. The calm-water areas behind the breakwater systems could be used for floating solar photovoltaic installations. Following successful implementation, renewable energy capacity could be progressively expanded to approximately 200 MW through additional floating solar installations and complementary renewable technologies.

Dr. Jayakumar, an alumnus of IIT Madras, has taken up the proposal with Professor Vijay of the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, who is reviewing the concept with a focus on engineering optimisation and cost efficiency. IIT Madras, with its internationally recognised wave-modelling and testing facilities, could provide valuable technical inputs as the project moves towards implementation.

Long-term vision

Subject to approvals, the project team plans to develop and deploy a pilot-scale offshore platform for sea trials. If successful, the long-term vision is to scale up the modular offshore system in phases to generate approximately 200 MW of renewable electricity through integrated floating solar photovoltaic systems and offshore wind energy. The power generated would initially be supplied to the grid before supporting green hydrogen production.

Although the project was presented to the State government ahead of the Assembly elections, the government has not responded officially so far. The project team is now planning to seek the Central government's cooperation to implement the pilot project.

“Since there has been no official response so far after the presentation of the project in Keralam, we propose to submit the proposal to the Government of India for undertaking a pilot project either in Keralam or any other maritime State in India,” said Dr. Jayakumar.