India’s Wind Energy Revolution

On a vibrant morning in Bengaluru, the wind sector's key stakeholders gathered to commemorate Global Wind Day 2025—an annual global celebration held on 15th June to spotlight the role of wind energy in shaping a sustainable energy future. This year, the focus was crystal clear: wind energy is no longer a peripheral part of India’s energy mix—it is at the heart of the nation’s renewable energy mission.

India has made bold commitments to reshape its energy landscape. By 2030, the country aims to generate 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, and by 2070, it aspires to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. In this journey toward a greener future, wind energy has emerged as a cornerstone—not just supporting the transition but driving it.

India’s vision for energy transformation goes beyond environmental goals—it is deeply tied to its economic aspirations. As the country moves rapidly toward becoming a global manufacturing hub, the strategy is clear: renewable energy will power industries, while conventional sources like coal or gas will be reserved for household needs. This deliberate distinction ensures that the expanding industrial base has access to clean, consistent power without compromising energy security at the domestic level.

Amidst this transformation, India has quietly climbed the global ranks. Today, it is the third-largest producer of renewable energy and boasts the fourth-largest installed wind power capacity in the world. This ascent is more than symbolic—it reflects the power of policy, innovation, and sustained investment. Just in the past year alone, India’s wind energy capacity rose by over 10.5%, jumping from 46.42 GW to 51.5 GW, marking a strong trajectory of growth.

But success brings new challenges. As stakeholders at the conference emphasized, the future of wind energy rests on addressing three critical priorities:

1. Hybrid Energy Integration: Wind energy must work in tandem with solar power and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to provide round-the-clock, stable electricity.

   (BESS are technologies that store energy for use during non-generating periods, helping balance fluctuations in renewable output.)

2. Cost Competitiveness: With current tariffs hovering around ₹3.90 per unit, wind-generated power must become more affordable to ensure scalability and broader adoption.

3. Manufacturing Efficiency: India must boost the efficiency and global competitiveness of its domestic manufacturing, not just to meet internal demand but to emerge as a leader in wind equipment exports.

Recognizing the importance of sustained investment, the renewable energy budget for the year has been increased by 53%, reaching ₹26,549 crore—a significant portion of which is earmarked for wind. This financial backing is intended to overcome long-standing barriers like land acquisition delays and grid transmission constraints, both of which have historically slowed the rollout of wind projects.

India’s manufacturing capabilities are also maturing rapidly. The country now produces wind turbines ranging from 225 kilowatts (kW) to 5.2 megawatts (MW), with 33 different models developed by 14 companies. These turbines are not only satisfying domestic demand but are increasingly being recognized for their cost competitiveness in international markets.

To fully harness its wind potential, India is now focusing on five strategic priorities:

1. Expanding into new states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, which remain underutilized but resource-rich.

2. Launching the offshore wind sector, with 4 GW of leasing areas identified off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, where tenders are in preparation.

3. Integrating wind into round-the-clock green power models through storage-linked business models that ensure firm power delivery.

4. Modernizing the national grid using AI-based forecasting tools to manage the variable nature of renewable energy.

5. Enhancing local manufacturing across the entire wind value chain, from blades to gearboxes, thereby building an Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) wind ecosystem.

Two key documents—the Wind Energy Roadmap and the Wind Manufacturing Roadmap—were unveiled during the event. These roadmaps will serve as strategic guides for India’s future journey, outlining both the vision and the execution plan for long-term sectoral growth.

States that demonstrated exceptional performance in wind capacity addition were also recognized. Karnataka led the chart with 1331.48 MW, followed closely by Tamil Nadu (1136.37 MW) and Gujarat (954.76 MW), showcasing regional leadership in accelerating wind adoption.

While wind energy continues to power forward, India’s solar energy journey runs parallel with equal momentum. The country’s total renewable energy capacity grew 17.13% year-on-year, rising from 193.58 GW in May 2024 to 226.74 GW in May 2025. Among these, solar power saw a remarkable surge of 31.49%, reaching 110.83 GW, up from 84.28 GW in the previous year.

This rapid solar growth has been supported by a robust domestic manufacturing base—India now boasts 25 GW of solar cell production capacity and 2 GW of wafer manufacturing capacity. Notably, back in 2014, solar capacity stood at just 2.82 GW, illustrating how far the country has come in just over a decade.

Looking ahead, India has set its sights on a 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030, aligning itself firmly with global climate goals and the fight against climate change. Wind and solar energy, together, are not only transforming India’s energy mix but are also reshaping its economic and industrial landscape—ushering in an era of clean, competitive, and reliable power.