India’s wind sector is quietly entering a new phase, one that is less about headline capacity numbers and more about grid relevance, industrial depth and long-term strategic value.
Mr. Aditya Pyasi, CEO of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) views this transition as a clear departure from the way wind power has historically been positioned in India’s energy landscape. After several years of moderate capacity additions, he believes the industry has turned a corner. Annual installations are accelerating again, supported by a far more structured and predictable renewable tendering roadmap. From today’s installed base of around 55 GW, Mr. Aditya Pyasi sees India’s wind capacity scaling to anywhere between 100 and 140 GW by the end of the decade.
From capacity growth to grid relevance
What is changing most, according to Mr. Pyasi, is how wind is being viewed in the power system. Wind is no longer seen only as a source of clean capacity. It is increasingly valued for its higher plant load factors and its ability to generate during evening hours and the monsoon season, helping to support a grid that is becoming more solar-heavy. In practical terms, wind is now being positioned to complement solar rather than compete with it.
As India moves towards its non-fossil energy targets, he points out that planners are paying more attention to when electricity is produced, not only how much is produced. Wind’s generation profile, especially its contribution during non-solar hours, makes it an important balancing partner for daytime solar power. The growing focus on hybrid projects and round-the-clock renewable tenders reflects this shift.
Policy visibility restores confidence
He attributes the renewed confidence in the sector to greater policy visibility. The annual bidding trajectory announced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, which targets around 50 GW of renewable capacity each year with close to 10 GW earmarked for wind, has improved long-term visibility for developers and manufacturers.
While power purchase agreement offtake challenges still exist in some markets, he believes the structured tender pipeline has helped restore confidence in project development and manufacturing investments. Mr. Pyasi also highlights the importance of localization frameworks for turbines and components, along with the broader Make in India push. He notes that the focus today is no longer limited to assembling turbines locally, but on strengthening India’s presence across the full manufacturing value chain.
Bottlenecks in execution
Despite policy progress, execution challenges remain. Land acquisition processes, transmission readiness and state-level approval timelines continue to slow project commissioning. Grid connectivity approvals and coordination between central and state agencies also need further streamlining.
Faster single-window mechanisms and better alignment between transmission planning and renewable bidding schedules, he says, would significantly improve project execution.
Manufacturing prepares for a different market
On the manufacturing side, India already has around 18-20 GW of annual manufacturing capacity, with about 70-80 percent indigenization. Mr. Pyasi explains that the industry is now moving away from older 2 MW turbine platforms towards modern 3-5 MW turbines.
Manufacturers are also investing in higher-value components such as gearboxes, generators, large bearings and power electronics. At the same time, digital tools and advanced analytics are being used to improve turbine monitoring and performance.
Localization as a strategic imperative
For him, domestic manufacturing and supply chain localization are central to India’s energy ambitions. He firmly believes the country should avoid replacing its dependence on imported fossil fuels with a new dependence on imported clean-energy technologies.
A stronger local supply chain can improve cost stability, strengthen resilience and support employment. With sustained policy support such as duty rationalization, possible production-linked incentive mechanisms and closer integration between manufacturers and suppliers, he says India can narrow cost gaps with global competitors and gradually build an export-oriented wind manufacturing base.
The Grid Takes Centre Stage
Grid integration is now becoming a critical priority. Mr. Pyasi stresses that transmission expansion must be planned in line with renewable bidding schedules. Stronger coordination between institutions such as the Solar Energy Corporation of India, the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited, state distribution companies and state nodal agencies will be necessary to improve predictability for developers.
Digitized approval processes, time-bound land clearances and stronger forecasting and scheduling systems will also support smoother integration. He adds that grid capabilities such as voltage support and reactive power management will become increasingly important as variable renewable generation grows.
A five-year outlook shaped by technology and scale
Looking ahead, Mr. Pyasi expects several developments to shape the sector over the next five years. Larger onshore turbines in the 3-5 MW range are likely to become standard. Early offshore wind projects are expected to begin. Wind-solar-storage hybrid parks should expand, and repowering of older wind sites is likely to increase.
At the manufacturing level, localization of high-value components is expected to deepen, and Indian original equipment manufacturers are likely to increase their participation in export markets. Digitalization and predictive analytics, he says, will further improve turbine performance and grid responsiveness.
From infrastructure to strategic industry
In the longer term, Mr. Pyasi believes India’s wind manufacturing industry can develop into a strategic sector on par with sectors such as information technology and pharmaceuticals, serving domestic energy needs while also supporting exports.
In a global energy transition increasingly shaped by supply-chain resilience and geopolitical uncertainty, he adds that India’s wind industry can become both an industrial engine and a soft-power asset across the Global South. And in that emerging grid built around firm supply, hybrid systems, and digital control, wind is no longer simply riding the transition. It is helping to shape it.
