Achieving a Notable Leap in Wind Energy: India exceeds 51 Gigawatts, encountering challenges to meet 2030 objectives
India's Wind Energy Odyssey: Conquering the 140 GW Target by 2030
On June 15, 2025, India celebrated World Wind Day, marking a significant turning point in the nation's wind energy journey. India's wind energy drive had catapulted the country to a staggering 51.5 GW of installed capacity, securing its place amongst the top four wind energy markets globally. However, ambition awaits as India sets its sights on a staggering 140 GW target by 2030—an achievement requiring about 100 GW of new installations in less than half a decade. This compelling narrative dissects India's wind energy successes, challenges, and the paths shaping India's wind energy destiny.
Regional Wind Power Transcendence
India's wind power landscape thrives on robust regional contributions. Face it, Gujarat reigns supreme, boasting a colossal 12,677 MW installed capacity as of March 2025—an impressive 8.14% increase from the previous year's 11,722 MW. Tamil Nadu, a trailblazing stalwart, claims runner-up with 11,739 MW, hiking an unyielding 10.71% from the year prior. However, it's Karnataka that's snatched the spotlight, thanks to investments and favorable policies. The pearl of the South witnessed a staggering 22.13% leap in capacity, skyrocketing from 6,019 MW to 7,351 MW. Across the past decade, India's wind power presence has exploded by a staggering 150%.
Despite this dazzling progress, achieving the audacious 140 GW goal entails navigating perilous hurdles. The National Electricity Plan's predictions of 73 GW by 2026-2027 and 122 GW by 2031-2032 depict a steep and relentless ascent. To conquer this formidable peak, the industry's intractable obstacles must be overcome and vanquished.
A Turbine Manufacturing Quandary
India's wind turbine manufacturing sector is fraught with a disconcerting paradox. In 2024-2025, just 4.15 GW of the 18 GW of annual capacity offered by 14 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) was installed, utilizing merely a fraction of the production potential—less than 25%. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's (MNRE) Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM), updated in May 2025, reveals 33 certified turbine models. Siemens Gamesa and Vestas command the pack with an impressive 19 models each, while Indian turbine titans Suzlon and Pioneer Wincon contribute 14 models apiece. OEM migration to export markets, such as the US and Brazil, has exacerbated this mismatch between production capacity and demand.
Grid constraints intensify the predicament. For instance, Tamil Nadu lost a staggering 70 million renewable power units over a single week due to curtailment. Substations like Theni and Aralvaimozhi, like unwilling spectators, suffered from daily supply cutbacks. Transmission upgrades are desperately needed, as evidenced by the state's repeated failure to meet its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) requirements and its escalating obligation of 33.01% in 2025-2026. The government's hope with programs like the Green Energy Corridor is to bolster grid capacity to a whopping 111 GW by 2030, with 94 GW planned by 2027. Nevertheless, grid development's timid progress leaves a glaring bottleneck that obstructs expansion when it falls behind renewable installations.
On the Verge of Export Dependency
The Indian wind industry faces an economic quagmire and reliance on foreign parts despite strong production potential. Foreign parts, such as bearings, gearboxes, and controls, account for a 30-60% premium on Indian turbines compared to their Chinese counterparts. Perplexingly, 90% of gearbox castings and 50% of hub castings originate in China, curtailing cost competitiveness. Although the MNRE's draft standards aim to localize RLMM-approved components, short-term supply chain interruptions may arise from these efforts. Moreover, the absence of a specific Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program for wind components hampers scalability, even when budget allocations for 'Make in India' initiatives intensify in 2025-2026.
Security concerns multiply the complexity, as cybersecurity threats loom large. Data compiled by the NITI Aayog suggests that OEM data servers situated overseas pose data security risks and even questionable import practices, particularly from China. The MNRE's RLMM revisions have fortified sovereignty through stricter OEM compliance requirements, raising costs for producers who grapple with an increasingly competitive environment.
Repowering Wind Energy's Second Chance
Wind repowering offers a tantalizing opportunity to augment output without requiring additional land. States with older sub-1.5 MW turbines, such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, have great repowering potential. By leveraging existing grid connections and replacing these with high-efficiency counterparts, output can be doubled or tripled without the need for new land. The MNRE's 2023 National Repowering and Life Extension Policy seeks to capitalize on this potential, but developers are disheartened by the lack of financial incentives. To fully extract the promise of repowering, clearer policies and smoother processes need to be established.
India's wind energy sector has long endured bouts of policy volatility. Competitive bidding replaced feed-in tariffs, triggering tariff reductions but instability in the market and pressuring OEM margins. Although debacles persist, the MNRE's 2023 vision for 50 GW annual renewable tenders, including 10 GW for wind, aims to steady growth. To foster investor confidence, the implementation process requires consistency and effective execution, even when a single-stage, two-envelope bidding procedure has been introduced to mitigate unsustainable pricing.
The Roadmap to 140 GW
India's wind energy industry teeters on the precipice of monumental change. While India's 51.5 GW wind energy milestone signifies impressive progress, novelties await. To conquer the 140 GW goal by 2030, rapid grid enhancements, PLI programs for wind components, and unshakable policy consistency are critical. Repowering initiatives could substantially bridge capacity shortages if they receive substantial financial incentives and efficient procedures. The Atmanirbhar Bharat vision will be further fortified by addressing cybersecurity threats and dependence on imports.
India's wind energy sector harbors the potential to carve out a leadership role in the looming global demand for clean energy. If industry, investors, and government align, India can navigate the turbulent waters, harness its wind resources, and chart a sustainable course to the future.
Michael Thompson, a venerable expert in renewable energy with 25 years of experience, dares to explore desirable trends in clean energy, elucidating the latest renewable energy advancements and offering practical tips on energy conservation.
Recommended Reading:- Wind Turbine Evolution: The Next Generation of Clean Energy Innovations
This content was crafted with state-of-the-art textual transformation methodologies to deliver a fresh, engaging narrative.
- Michael Thompson, a renowned expert in renewable energy with 25 years of experience, proposes desirable trends in clean energy, delving into the latest advancements in wind turbine technology and offering practical tips on energy conservation.
- To achieve India's 140 GW wind energy target by 2030, rapid grid enhancements, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) programs for wind components, and unwavering policy consistency are indispensable.
- Repowering wind energy initiatives could significantly address capacity shortages if they receive substantial financial incentives and streamlined procedures.
- In the quest to carve out a leadership role in the impending global demand for clean energy, India's wind energy sector must successfully navigate the challenges of cybersecurity threats, reliance on foreign parts, and turbulent policy waters.
- By focusing on innovative renewable energy solutions, such as the next generation of wind turbines, and embracing energy conservation practices, India can fortify its Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and chart a sustainable path towards a clean energy future. Recommended Reading: Wind Turbine Evolution: The Next Generation of Clean Energy Innovations
