India’s Wind Power Sector Gears Up for a Major Leap in 2026

The wind power sector in India is entering a dynamic growth phase, fuelled by expanding manufacturing capacity, evolving policies and a sharpened export orientation. Domestic installed capacity, component-making capability and global supply-chain linkages are aligned to drive a major step-up around 2026.

Policy & Industry Context

According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), India’s wind energy capacity is expected to reach around 107 GW by 2030, elevating the country to meet roughly 10 % of global wind-equipment demand. 
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) emphasises that wind is projected to become the second-largest generator among renewables globally by 2030, behind solar. 
On the manufacturing side, India already has more than 20 GW per annum capacity for wind-turbine equipment and is targeting a stronger export role.

Key Growth Drivers

• Manufacturing & Export Hub

India is maturing as a global hub for wind-turbine component manufacturing. Reportedly, Indian firms hold roughly 12 % of global nacelle manufacturing capacity, 10 % of blades, 13 % of towers and 17 % of gearboxes.
This localisation is supported by policy incentives and a maturing supply chain. For example, domestic manufacturing capacity grew from ~12 GW in 2022 to ~20 GW by 2024.

• Onshore / Offshore Renewal & Hybridisation

Technological trends are shifting: taller turbines, predictive digital maintenance, hybrid renewables (wind + solar) and offshore/floating platforms are gaining traction. 
The IEA notes offshore wind capacity could nearly quadruple by 2030 compared with 2017-2023 rates. 

• Global Wind Market Boom

Globally, annual wind-capacity additions in 2025 are projected at ~170 GW, the strongest on record, and cumulative global capacity is on track to double from 2024 levels by the early 2030s.
This buoyant global tailwind improves the export-opportunity logic for India.

Opportunities & Challenges for India

Opportunities:

• With strong manufacturing, India can refine localisation, export components, capture value-chains and create jobs (GWEC estimates ~154 000 new jobs if installations scale to 15 GW annually).

• Hybrid wind-solar parks and offshore wind (especially in coastal states) provide fresh project avenues.

• A favourable global market gives India room to integrate into supply chains and leverage strengths.

Challenges:

• While capacity growth is promising, actual large-scale project installations need steady auctions, grid infrastructure, land/use clearance, and financing.

• Policy and market uncertainties (e.g., tariff design, offtake mechanisms, grid-integration) remain a concern.

• Offshore projects are capital-intensive and face long development lead times; balancing onshore growth with future offshore ambitions is non-trivial.

• Supply-chain localisation needs coordination; component standards, quality assurance, certification and logistics are critical.

Strategic Outlook & What’s Next for 2026

As we look to 2026 and beyond, India’s wind sector is poised to achieve the following:

• A marked increase in annual installation rates (moving from current modest growth to multi-GW scale).

• Further expansion of domestic manufacturing and exports of turbine components, moving beyond domestic demand.

• Early adoption of next-generation technologies—higher-hub-height turbines, hybrid sites, grid-integration with storage, and potentially pilot offshore wind farms.

• Strengthened policy and auction design to support larger projects, project bankability, and speedier execution.

• Heightened competition globally will require Indian firms to maintain cost competitiveness, quality and scale to capture export share.

For India, 2026 can become the year when the wind sector crosses an inflection point — from steady growth to accelerated scaling, bridging manufacturing, exports and deployment. Successfully capturing that shift will further reinforce India’s role in the global clean-energy transition.

Conclusion

The wind-energy “wind is blowing” in India. With a strong manufacturing base, global tailwinds and evolving policies, the country has the foundation to make a leap around 2026. Stakeholders must now focus on execution, grid readiness, financing, and technology readiness to turn potential into performance.