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As of July 2024, India’s wind power sector had reached a significant milestone, with an installed capacity of 47.075 GW. This figure represents 10.5% of the country’s total power mix, underlining the importance of wind energy in the nation’s overall energy landscape. Within the renewable energy sector, wind power plays a crucial role, accounting for 31.33% of the total renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydro projects. The total renewable energy capacity in India, without considering large hydro, stood at 150.276 GW as of July 2024.
Among the states, Gujarat emerged as the leader in wind power, with an installed capacity of around 12.132 GW. This constitutes 25.77% of the nation’s total wind power capacity, reflecting the state’s strong commitment to harnessing wind energy. Tamil Nadu follows closely, with a wind power capacity of approximately 10.881 GW, contributing 23.11% to the national total. These two states, along with Karnataka and Maharashtra, are the primary hubs for wind energy in India. Karnataka has an installed capacity of 6.516 GW, which makes up 13.84% of the total, while Maharashtra’s capacity of 5.212 GW accounts for 11.07%. Together, these top four states cover approximately 73.8% of India’s total installed wind power capacity, emphasizing their dominant role in the country’s wind energy sector.
In addition to these leading states, wind power projects are also active in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan has an installed capacity of 5.195 GW, Andhra Pradesh has 4.096 GW, and Madhya Pradesh has 2.844 GW. However, the potential for wind power in India is largely concentrated in coastal and high-wind-prone areas. This geographical limitation explains why wind power projects are not widespread in other parts of the country. The regions with active wind energy projects are those that benefit from favorable wind conditions, which are essential for the efficient operation of wind turbines.
The growth of wind power in India has been particularly noteworthy in 2024. From January to July, the country installed around 2.339 GW of new wind power capacity. This rapid expansion highlights the increasing importance of wind energy as a complement to solar power, which has been the leading force in the renewable energy sector. Gujarat, in particular, has demonstrated its strong wind potential by installing approximately 908.96 MW of new capacity within the first seven months of 2024. This significant addition underscores the state’s leadership in wind energy and its ability to harness its natural resources effectively.
The continued growth of wind power in India reflects the country’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy capacity and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. With the increasing focus on sustainability and the need to combat climate change, wind energy is poised to play an even more critical role in the nation’s energy strategy in the coming years. As the sector continues to grow, it will be essential for policymakers and industry leaders to address the challenges and opportunities associated with further expanding wind power in India.
