India hits record wind capacity, crosses 56 GW mark

India has achieved a major milestone in its renewable energy journey by adding a record 6.05 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity during the financial year 2025–26. This marks a significant 46 percent increase compared to the previous year, highlighting a sharp acceleration in the country’s clean energy transition.

With this addition, India’s total installed wind energy capacity has now exceeded 56 GW, strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading wind energy producers. The growth reflects sustained policy support, improved infrastructure, and a strong pipeline of projects across multiple regions.

Key contributors to this expansion include Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, which have played a crucial role in driving new capacity additions. The increasing adoption of wind-solar hybrid projects and the implementation of green energy open access policies have further boosted deployment across these states.

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, several government initiatives have supported this record growth. These include concessional customs duties on wind turbine components, waivers on inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges until 2028, competitive bidding mechanisms, and renewable consumption obligation frameworks specifically targeting wind energy.

Technical backing from the National Institute of Wind Energy has also played a key role in strengthening the sector’s capabilities in project planning, development, and execution.

This milestone is expected to significantly enhance India’s renewable energy mix and accelerate progress toward its ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030. Since its inception in the early 1990s, India’s wind energy programme has evolved into a mature and globally competitive sector, attracting increasing investor confidence and policy stability.