Every year on Global Wind Day, the world reflects on the role wind plays in shaping a cleaner, more resilient future. But this year, as Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi addressed a gathering in Bengaluru, the message from the government was louder than ever: Wind energy isn’t just part of the renewable energy conversation—it is the conversation.

India’s targets are bold. By 2030, the country plans to source 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuels. By 2070, India aims to be net zero. These aren’t just climate targets—they’re industrial and economic milestones. To get there, wind energy must be more than a backup. It must become base load, reliable, scalable, and embedded into the country’s power and manufacturing systems.

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Why wind energy matters now more than ever

India is already the fourth-largest wind energy generator and the third-largest renewable energy producer in the world. But global leadership in volume alone is not enough. Wind’s true promise lies in its ability to provide large-scale, clean power that integrates seamlessly with India’s emerging manufacturing ambitions.

As the Minister pointed out, renewable energy for manufacturing and conventional energy for households is the mantra. That shift would allow India to power its factories, data centres, and export hubs using clean energy while using traditional power sources for domestic needs—a balance that could be key to energy security.

Wind Energy: The Key Obstacles to Overcome

Despite growth, challenges remain. High tariffs remain a concern, with ₹3.90 per unit proving too expensive to be competitive. Wind needs to be combined with solar and battery storage to deliver consistent round-the-clock power. Meanwhile, inefficiencies in local manufacturing continue to hinder scale and cost-competitiveness, even though India now produces 33 wind turbine models.

States must also act decisively. Transmission delays, land availability, and slow project clearances continue to hamper deployment. As Joshi rightly put it, “This is not the time for hesitation. It is the time for execution.”

Policy backing and budget commitment

The government has significantly increased its renewable energy budget by 53% to ₹26,549 crore, with a substantial focus on wind. This reflects the priority being accorded to the sector. The strategic push includes expanding into new states like Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, launching the offshore wind sector, and integrating wind into firm green power supply through hybrid and storage-backed models.

The grid is also being modernised, with AI-enabled forecasting systems being explored to manage renewable variability. Local manufacturing across the value chain is being strengthened to reduce import dependence and support export growth.

Execution will determine success

India is not short of ideas or policy intent. The challenge lies in converting them into on-ground progress. With turbines now ranging from 225 kW to 5.2 MW, and rising global interest in Indian-manufactured equipment, the manufacturing window is wide open.

States like Karnataka have taken the lead, adding 1331.48 MW of wind capacity in the current cycle. Tamil Nadu followed with 1136.37 MW, while Gujarat added 954.76 MW. These efforts must continue at scale across the country to ensure that national targets are met.

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The broader significance of wind energy

Wind energy is more than a clean power source. It underpins India’s ambitions across sectors. Clean power supports manufacturing competitiveness, reduces rural energy poverty, strengthens geopolitical autonomy, and positions India as a key global exporter of renewables technology.

This Global Wind Day is a timely reminder that wind is no longer on the margins of India’s energy planning—it now stands at the very centre of it. As the country races toward its 2030 renewable energy targets, wind energy is poised to play a transformative role in shaping a cleaner, more resilient power landscape. But realizing this potential will require more than just ambition. The path ahead demands policy continuity, collaborative federalism between the Centre and states, strong investor confidence, and an unrelenting focus on on-ground execution. With the right push, India can harness the full power of the wind—sustainably and at scale.