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As India moves closer to becoming a global clean energy powerhouse, the wind energy sector is poised for significant growth, contributing to the country’s ambitious renewable energy targets. With installed capacity exceeding 200 gigawatts (GW) and projections for investment in renewable energy doubling to over $32 billion by 2025, India is accelerating its transition away from fossil fuels, with wind energy playing a key role in this transformation.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s renewable energy capacity additions are expected to outpace all major economies, including China, with a forecasted increase in annual capacity from 15 GW in 2023 to 62 GW by 2030. As of December 2024, India’s installed renewable energy capacity reached 205 GW, with wind energy making a substantial contribution.
India has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, with a focus on scaling up both domestic wind turbine manufacturing and wind power installations. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted the record progress made in 2024, with a total of 24.72 GW of renewable energy capacity added during the year, including 3.22 GW from wind power alone. This is a marked increase compared to the 11.83 GW added in the same period last year.
Wind energy is expected to play a central role in India’s renewable energy strategy, contributing to decarbonizing the industrial sector. The country’s government has pledged substantial investments to support the scaling of wind energy, alongside solar power, which now accounts for a significant portion of the country’s total energy mix.
India’s wind energy sector, which includes both onshore and offshore projects, is undergoing a transformation with significant policy and infrastructure support. Among the key challenges moving forward is the need for an updated policy framework and increased transmission infrastructure to handle the rising share of renewable energy, especially from wind.
Amit Uplenchwar, Director of Kalpataru Projects International Ltd, emphasized the need for faster project awarding and a streamlined regulatory process to meet India’s ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. This includes ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to efficiently evacuate wind power from renewable-rich states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
The wind energy sector also faces challenges in terms of high production costs and the need for subsidies and research and development (R&D) support, particularly in the area of offshore wind. However, industry experts are optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead, particularly with emerging technologies such as floating solar and offshore wind farms.
In addition to wind energy, the government’s focus on Green Hydrogen as a clean energy solution is also expected to complement the growth of renewables, including wind power. With a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, including a substantial portion from wind, India is set to play a pivotal role in the global clean energy transition.
As the country continues its push for a green future, wind energy is emerging as one of the cornerstones of India’s renewable energy strategy, driving both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
