India’s wind journey has caught a fresh gust, and this time it is a record-breaking one. In FY 2025–26, the country added an unprecedented 6.05 GW of new wind power capacity—the highest annual addition ever—surpassing the long-standing benchmark of FY 2016–17 and decisively signalling a resurgence in onshore wind development.
The achievement is even more striking when seen in context. The latest addition represents a sharp rise of nearly 46 per cent over the capacity installed in FY 2024–25, underscoring a clear acceleration in momentum. With this milestone, India’s cumulative installed wind power capacity has now crossed 56 GW, reaffirming the sector’s renewed vitality. Improved policy clarity, enhanced transmission preparedness, competitive tariff discovery and a maturing project pipeline have together created the conditions for this upswing.
Behind the numbers lies a story of sustained institutional support and more efficient execution on the ground. Wind-rich states such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra emerged as the key contributors during the year, driven by a growing portfolio of wind–solar hybrid projects and the steady expansion of green energy open access. These developments have helped unlock both utility-scale demand and participation from commercial and industrial consumers.
Over the years, India has steadily positioned itself among the world’s leading wind energy markets, building depth across manufacturing, project development and grid integration. This progress has been reinforced by a range of government initiatives aimed at strengthening the ecosystem. Measures such as concessional customs duties on select turbine components and raw materials, a graded waiver of Inter-State Transmission System charges until June 2028, transparent competitive bidding mechanisms, dedicated Wind Renewable Consumption Obligation frameworks, and technical backing from the National Institute of Wind Energy have collectively lowered barriers and improved investor confidence.
The record addition provides a significant boost to India’s renewable energy portfolio and moves the country closer to its ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030. It also sends a strong signal that wind power continues to be a central pillar of India’s clean energy transition.
India’s wind energy programme, launched in the early 1990s as part of a broader renewable vision, has evolved over three decades into a mature and resilient sector. From early demonstration projects to today’s large-scale, grid-connected installations, the country has built a robust policy framework and a capable domestic industry. The latest milestone is not just a statistical high—it reflects the coming of age of India’s wind sector and its readiness to play a defining role in the nation’s energy future.
