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The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a new Office Memorandum dated February 16, 2026, offering relief to India’s wind energy sector. The latest directive modifies earlier procedures related to the inclusion and updating of wind turbine models under the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM). The decision comes in response to ongoing supply chain challenges affecting critical wind turbine components.
The main focus of the amendment is on special bearings used in wind turbines, including Main, Yaw, and Pitch bearings. According to the Ministry, manufacturers have been facing sourcing constraints for these components, which are essential for turbine performance and reliability. As a result, the government has decided to relax compliance timelines that were earlier introduced in a July 2025 order.
Under the revised guidelines, wind projects that were bid out before July 31, 2025, will receive an exemption for Main Bearings, provided they are commissioned within three years from that date. In addition, the exemption for Main Bearings will apply to all projects, whether already bid or to be bid, until July 31, 2027. The Ministry has stated that it will review the domestic and global supply chain situation after these two years before enforcing stricter compliance requirements.
The memorandum also includes specific relaxations for projects developed under Captive, Open Access, and Commercial and Industrial (C&I) models. For these categories, a phased exemption schedule has been introduced. Yaw and Pitch Bearings have been granted a one-year extension, with the compliance deadline now moved to January 31, 2028. Meanwhile, Main Bearings for such projects have received a two-year extension, shifting the requirement date to January 31, 2029. However, this timeline will also be subject to review.
The memorandum, signed by Scientist ‘C’ Rishikesh Vaishnav, makes it clear that all other conditions mentioned in the July 2025 order will remain unchanged. With this move, MNRE aims to prevent delays in wind project execution and maintain installation momentum. The decision is expected to provide temporary relief to developers and manufacturers dealing with component shortages while supporting the steady growth of India’s wind energy sector.
