Karnataka has claimed the national spotlight in clean energy, winning the award for the highest under-construction wind power capacity of 9 GW at Windergy India 2026, the country's flagship wind energy conclave, held at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai on 9 October 2026. The honour was received by Divya Prabhu GRJ, Managing Director of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), from Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, at the eighth edition of the event.

The Award and What It Signals

The recognition was presented by the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), which organises Windergy India. Karnataka's 9 GW of wind projects currently under construction represents the largest such pipeline among all Indian states, underlining the state's status as a preferred destination for large-scale renewable energy investment. The event drew more than 3,000 global delegates, featured an international exhibition, high-level conferences, live demonstrations, B2B and B2G meetings, and an Academia Connect forum.

What the Government Said

Karnataka's Energy Minister K.J. George welcomed the recognition, stating: 'It is a matter of great pride and happiness for Karnataka to receive this national recognition for having the highest under-construction wind power capacity of 9 GW. This achievement is a reflection of Karnataka's strong commitment to clean energy and our sustained efforts to create an enabling ecosystem for renewable energy investments. I congratulate KREDL, the Energy Department and all stakeholders who have contributed to this achievement. Under the guidance of the Karnataka government, we will continue to accelerate the development of renewable energy and build a resilient, sustainable and future-ready energy sector.'

Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of the Karnataka Energy Department, said the award 'demonstrates the confidence of investors in Karnataka's policy framework, infrastructure and renewable energy ecosystem' and affirmed that the department would work closely with KREDL to facilitate timely project execution.

Divya Prabhu GRJ added that the recognition 'reflects the collective efforts of the Energy Minister, the Energy Department, KREDL, project developers and other stakeholders,' and reaffirmed KREDL's commitment to supporting investors and enabling the state to meet its ambitious renewable energy goals.

Why Karnataka's Wind Push Matters

India has set a 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity target by 2030, and wind power is central to bridging the gap. Karnataka, which already hosts significant operational wind capacity across its northern and coastal districts, is further strengthening its position with this construction pipeline. Notably, this is not an isolated milestone — the state has consistently ranked among the top two or three wind energy states in India over the past decade, alongside Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. A 9 GW under-construction figure, if executed on schedule, would materially reshape Karnataka's energy mix and reduce its dependence on thermal power imports.

What Comes Next

KREDL has signalled continued focus on facilitating project timelines and investor support. The Energy Department is expected to work with developers to address grid connectivity and land-related execution challenges that have historically slowed wind project commissioning in the state. With India's global wind energy standing growing — as evidenced by Windergy India's international delegate turnout — Karnataka's policy environment will remain under close watch from both domestic and overseas clean energy investors.