Wind energy: Repowering push and offshore challenges
Author: PPD Team Date: March 1, 2026
India’s installed wind power capacity reached 54.51 GW as of December 2025, placing the country among the world’s top five wind markets. The sector has transitioned from a subsidy-led segment to a cost-competitive source of generation. Onshore wind continues to expand, repowering of older assets is gaining policy backing, and offshore wind remains at an early stage.
Onshore capacity and regional potential
Wind capacity increased from 53.12 GW in September 2025 to 54.51 GW in December 2025. During 2025, 6,347.77 MW of new wind capacity was commissioned, making wind the second largest renewable addition category after solar. Wind accounts for 10.61% of India’s total installed generation capacity and is the second largest renewable source within the non-fossil portfolio.
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has assessed Rajasthan’s wind potential at 284 GW at 150 metres above ground level. In Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, NIWE has assessed 1,895 MW at 120 metres. Of this, 1,141 MW has been installed, indicating utilisation of approximately 60% of assessed potential.
Repowering and regulatory controls
A large share of India’s wind fleet was installed in the early 2000s, using lower-capacity turbines compared to current technology. The National Repowering and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects 2023 provides a framework to replace older turbines with modern, higher-capacity machines at existing sites, increasing energy output without additional land acquisition.
The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers for Wind Turbines (ALMM-Wind) requires the use of listed components in new projects to ensure quality and safety standards. The framework also restricts real-time data transfer from turbines to servers located outside India, mandating domestic data centres for operational data.
Offshore wind: limited response to first tender
The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 7,453 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme to support 1 GW of offshore wind development, with 500 MW each planned off Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) issued a 500 MW tender off the Gujarat coast in September 2024. No bids were received.
Higher installation costs, limited domestic supply chains and uncertainty over grid connectivity charges have affected developer interest, despite Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charge waivers extended to December 2032. Offshore wind development is expected to require revised project economics or additional policy support before large-scale private participation.
Hybrid and dispatchable procurement
Wind-solar hybrid projects are increasingly adopted to improve supply predictability. Solar generation typically peaks during midday, while wind output often rises during early morning, evening and night hours. Combining both resources improves plant utilisation and reduces balancing requirements.
Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) contracts require developers to meet defined supply obligations using renewable generation and storage. FDRE tenders awarded by SECI in August 2024 discovered tariffs in the range of Rs 4.98–4.99 per kWh. These tariffs are broadly comparable to new coal-based capacity from 2025 tariff-based competitive bidding, which ranged between Rs 5.38–6.30 per kWh.
Workforce development
The Suryamitra Skill Development Programme has trained 66,351 technicians as of December 2025. The Vayu Mitra programme focuses on wind energy technicians to support operations and maintenance of expanding wind capacity. Further workforce expansion will be required as installations increase.
Source: Lok Sabha USQs 1985, 2026, 2060 (11.02.2026); Rajya Sabha USQs 309, 1105 (02–09.02.2026)
The featured photograph is for representation only.