India Targets 100 GW of Wind Power by 2030 to Bolster Renewable Energy Goals
India’s wind energy capacity has reached 51.5 GW, with a 150% growth over a decade, targeting 100 GW by 2030, including 30 GW from offshore projects. Supported by policies like Viability Gap Funding and a robust manufacturing ecosystem, the sector faces challenges in grid integration and land acquisition but is key to India’s net-zero goal by 2070.India targets 100 GW of wind power by 2030, with 51.5 GW already achieved, driving self-reliance and net-zero goals through robust policies and manufacturing.
India is intensifying its push for renewable energy, aiming to achieve 100 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity by 2030, a key component of its broader target of 500 GW from non-fossil fuel sources. With the current installed wind capacity at 51.5 GW as of June 2025, this ambitious goal reflects a 150% growth over the past decade and underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance through the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative. Supported by strong policy reforms, investments in offshore wind, and a robust manufacturing ecosystem, the wind sector is poised to play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting global climate commitments by 2070.
India’s wind energy sector has made significant strides, reaching 51.5 GW of installed capacity by June 2025, a 150% increase from 21 GW in 2014. This growth has positioned India as the fourth-largest wind power market globally and the third-largest producer of renewable energy, surpassing Germany in 2024. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is driving the sector toward its 100 GW target by 2030, which includes 30 GW from offshore wind projects. This aligns with India’s COP26 pledge to source 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
The government has implemented several measures to support this growth. The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, with an allocation of ₹7,453 crore, supports 1 GW of offshore wind projects, with 500 MW each planned off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. An additional ₹5,400 crore has been allocated for 30 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to address the intermittency of wind power and ensure grid stability. These initiatives are complemented by policies like the PM Surya Ghar scheme and updated micrositing guidelines to optimize turbine placement, enhancing efficiency and output.
India’s wind sector benefits from a strong domestic manufacturing base, with an annual capacity of 18 GW for turbines and components. Companies like Suzlon, Siemens Gamesa, and Inox Wind produce a range of turbines, from 225 kW to 5.2 MW, across 33 models. This ecosystem supports exports to countries like Australia, Brazil, and the USA, reinforcing India’s position as a global manufacturing hub under the Make in India initiative. The ‘Ramping Up Local Manufacturing for Wind Turbines in India’ report, released in 2025, outlines strategies to strengthen the supply chain and boost domestic production.
Key states like Gujarat (11,317 MW), Tamil Nadu (10,603 MW), and Karnataka (7,351 MW, with 1,331 MW added in 2024) lead in wind capacity additions, contributing 93% of the national total. Karnataka’s Renewable Energy Policy 2022–2027 promotes innovation, including repowering older turbines and digitalization. The government is also expanding wind projects into new states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha to diversify production. Offshore wind development is a priority, with 4 GW of leasing areas identified and tenders in progress, leveraging India’s 70 GW offshore potential along its 7,600-km coastline.
The wind sector is a significant economic driver, employing 40,000 people in 2022, with projections of a sixfold increase by 2030. Over 55% of the workforce is aged 26-35, offering opportunities for young professionals. To achieve the 100 GW target, the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) emphasizes five focus areas: expanding into new regions, launching offshore projects, integrating wind with solar and storage for round-the-clock power, modernizing the grid with AI-based forecasting, and strengthening local manufacturing. These efforts aim to address challenges like land acquisition, grid bottlenecks, and low capacity utilization factors (CUF), which average below 20% compared to the assumed 30%.
Despite its progress, the wind sector faces hurdles. The IMARC Group projects India’s wind capacity to reach 127.9 GW by 2033 at a CAGR of 11.04%, while ResearchAndMarkets estimates 89.49 GW by 2030 at a CAGR of 11.26%. These projections suggest the 100 GW target is achievable but requires an annual installation rate of 10 GW, a significant jump from the 7 GW added in the last decade. Transmission constraints and policy delays, such as the 100% domestic sourcing mandate under the Renewable Energy Limited Manufacturing Model (RLMM), could increase costs by 25-35% compared to solar, potentially slowing momentum. The reintroduction of reverse auctions in 2024 aims to lower tariffs and streamline bidding.
Integration with storage is critical to managing wind’s variability, especially during the May-September monsoon season, when 70% of wind generation occurs. The government is investing in AI-based grid forecasting and exploring nuclear power expansion to 22 GW by 2032 to stabilize base load capacity. Initiatives like the Renewable Energy Cluster Programme in Karnataka, with over 5 GW planned, and the establishment of 20 substations and 400 kV corridors, aim to enhance infrastructure. However, structural challenges, including land acquisition disputes and community opposition, remain significant barriers.
India’s wind potential is estimated at 695.5 GW at 120 meters above ground level, yet only 6.5% is currently utilized. Projects like the Muppandal Wind Farm in Tamil Nadu, with 1,500 MW, demonstrate the sector’s capacity to scale. The government’s Wind Energy Roadmap and Manufacturing Roadmap provide a framework for overcoming these challenges, emphasizing innovation, workforce development, and policy reforms. These efforts align with India’s commitment to reduce carbon intensity by 45% by 2030, with wind power contributing 71.8 TWh (4.43% of total electricity) in 2022-23.
Conclusion
India’s wind energy sector, with 51.5 GW of capacity, is a vital pillar of its renewable energy strategy and self-reliance goals. The target of 100 GW by 2030, including 30 GW from offshore projects, is ambitious but feasible with continued policy support and infrastructure investment. Overcoming land, grid, and cost challenges will be critical to sustaining growth and ensuring wind energy’s role in achieving India’s net-zero vision by 2070.
Source: ESG News
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