Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that India has recorded its best-ever annual increase in wind energy capacity with a historic 6.1 GW addition during 2025–26.
India currently ranks fourth globally in wind energy, with more than 56.1 GW installed capacity and an additional 28 GW under implementation, the Union Minister said in his address at the foundation day event of the Wind Independent Power Producers Association (WIPPA). Emphasising the vast untapped potential of the sector, Union Minister Joshi highlighted that India’s wind energy potential at 150 metres hub height is estimated at nearly 1,164 GW.
He expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, the country will achieve 100 GW wind capacity by 2030 and 156 GW by 2036, contributing significantly to the net-zero target by 2070.
Joshi underlined that wind energy plays a critical role in stabilising India’s energy system, particularly due to its peak generation during evening and night hours, which aligns with high demand periods. He noted that nearly 45 per cent of wind power generation occurs during peak demand hours, making it a vital complement to solar energy.
Highlighting policy interventions, Joshi said that the Government has introduced a dedicated wind component under Renewable Purchase Obligations to ensure sustained demand.
“Measures such as enforcement of Late Payment Surcharge rules, transparent bidding guidelines, and the implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) are strengthening investor confidence and promoting domestic manufacturing.” He also noted that India has developed a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem with an annual capacity exceeding 24 GW and indigenisation levels of 70–80 per cent.
