India Achieves Record Wind Energy Capacity Addition of 6.05 GW in FY26, a 46% Increase from FY25
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) - The Indian government announced on Monday that the nation has successfully achieved its highest-ever annual wind power capacity addition of 6.05 GW in FY26, surpassing the previous record of 5.5 GW set in FY 2016-17.
This achievement marks an impressive increase of nearly 46 percent compared to the capacity added in FY25, indicating a significant boost in India's onshore wind energy deployment.
“With this new capacity addition, India's total installed wind power capacity has now exceeded 56 GW. This significant milestone demonstrates a revitalized momentum in the sector, fueled by enhanced policy clarity, readiness in transmission infrastructure, competitive tariff rates, and a robust project pipeline,” stated the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The wind energy sector in India has witnessed consistent growth over the years, supported by various government initiatives such as Concessional Custom Duty on specific components and raw materials essential for manufacturing wind turbines, a graded Waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges until June 2028, competitive bidding frameworks, and technical assistance from the National Institute of Wind Energy.
This record-breaking addition significantly bolsters India’s renewable energy portfolio and aids in reaching the national goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.
The inception of India’s wind energy program dates back to the early 1990s and has been integral to the government’s broader renewable energy strategy.
Over the last thirty years, India has established a robust wind energy ecosystem and a solid policy framework supporting grid-connected wind power projects, as noted by the ministry.
This notable accomplishment is attributed to continuous policy support, enhanced project execution, and the maturation of the project pipeline in key wind states.
“States including Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have been significant contributors to this year’s capacity addition, driven by an expanding pipeline of wind-solar hybrid projects and the progressive implementation of green energy open access,” the statement concluded.