India's Wind Energy Progress and Global Wind Day 2026 Conference

India will host the Global Wind Day 2026 Conference on June 15, 2026, in Goa under the theme "Wind Energy: From Ambition to Acceleration." The conference will bring together senior representatives from the Central Electricity Authority, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, National Institute of Wind Energy, Grid India, state governments, and industry associations. The event will focus on key priorities including resource adequacy, grid readiness, capacity addition, domestic manufacturing competitiveness, export opportunities, and advancements in forecasting and renewable energy firming. The conference will witness the release of an industry report titled "Elevating India's Wind Turbine Exports for Global Markets."

Wind Resource Potential and Capacity Growth

India's estimated gross wind power potential stands at 695.5 GW at 120 meters and 1,163.9 GW at 150 meters above ground level. The majority of this potential at 150 meters is concentrated in eight states: Rajasthan (284.2 GW), Gujarat (180.8 GW), Maharashtra (173.9 GW), Karnataka (169.3 GW), Andhra Pradesh (123.3 GW), Tamil Nadu (95.1 GW), Madhya Pradesh (55.4 GW), and Telangana (54.7 GW). More than 900 wind-monitoring stations have been installed nationwide to map wind resources and identify high-potential sites, with wind potential maps developed at 50 m, 80 m, 100 m, 120 m, and 150 m hub heights.

India ranks 4th globally in installed wind power capacity, with installed capacity increasing from 21.04 GW in March 2014 to 56.09 GW in March 2026, representing a 2.66-fold increase. An additional 28 GW is currently under implementation. The country recorded its highest-ever annual wind capacity addition of 6.05 GW in 2025-26, surpassing the previous record of 4.15 GW in 2024-25. Nearly 45% of wind generation occurs during peak demand hours, complementing solar power and strengthening grid reliability.

Manufacturing and Government Interventions

Wind turbine manufacturing capacity has increased from 10 GW in 2014 to approximately 24 GW as of March 2026, with the sector achieving 70-80% indigenization across key components. Strong domestic supply chains exist for blades, towers, gearboxes, and other critical equipment.

The government has implemented several key interventions including ₹6,853 crore Viability Gap Funding approved for 1,000 MW of offshore wind projects (500 MW each off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts), ₹500 crore disbursed under the Generation Based Incentive Scheme during 2025–26, and a 500 MW pilot project launched under Contracts for Difference mechanism. A Task Force was constituted in January 2026 to address regulatory, land, transmission, and implementation challenges.

Additional measures include a dedicated wind component under Renewable Purchase Obligations, Green Energy Open Access Rules to facilitate direct procurement of renewable power by industries, implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, transparent bidding guidelines, and Late Payment Surcharge Rules. The government is promoting hybrid and Round-the-Clock Renewable Energy projects to improve grid efficiency.

International Partnerships and Future Priorities

India is strengthening wind energy cooperation through partnerships with the UK, Denmark, and Belgium. The India-United Kingdom Offshore Wind Taskforce was launched in February 2026 under Vision 2035, focusing on market design, port infrastructure, supply chains, and blended finance. With Belgium, cooperation includes offshore wind, research and development, and green taxonomy. With Denmark, a cooperation agreement signed in 2019 was renewed in May 2025, now including power system modelling, integration of variable renewable energy, and joint expert training.

Future priorities include expanding wind deployment into emerging states such as Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha; launching India's offshore wind sector through identified leasing areas in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu; integrating wind power into Round-the-Clock Renewable Energy solutions through storage-linked business models; modernizing the grid and deploying AI-based forecasting tools; and strengthening domestic manufacturing across the entire wind energy value chain.