New Delhi: India has marked a major milestone in its clean energy journey, achieving its highest-ever annual wind capacity addition of 6.05 GW in FY 2025-26, surpassing the previous record of 5.5 GW set in FY 2016-17, the government said on Monday. This represents a nearly 46% increase over the 2024-25 additions, signalling a decisive acceleration in the country’s onshore wind deployment trajectory.
With this achievement, India’s cumulative installed wind power capacity has crossed 56 GW, underscoring renewed momentum in the sector driven by improved policy clarity, enhanced transmission readiness, competitive tariff discovery, and a robust project pipeline.
The surge in wind capacity has been supported by sustained policy measures, improved execution capabilities, and growing project maturity across key states. Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra have emerged as leading contributors to this expansion, aided by a rising pipeline of wind-solar hybrid projects and the progressive rollout of green energy open access frameworks.
Government initiatives such as concessional customs duties on turbine components, graded waivers of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges until June 2028, competitive bidding mechanisms, and dedicated wind renewable consumption obligation (RCO) frameworks have further strengthened the sector. Technical backing from national institutions has also played a key role in enabling this growth.
Non-fossil Basket
This milestone significantly boosts India’s renewable energy portfolio and aligns with the national target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030. India’s wind energy program, which began in the early 1990s as part of a broader renewable strategy, has evolved into a mature ecosystem supported by strong policy frameworks and consistent investment.
The progress in wind energy is part of a broader surge in renewable energy development that has positioned India as the third-largest renewable energy market globally in 2025. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India added approximately 45 GW of renewable capacity in a single year, driven largely by solar and wind power. India’s total installed renewable energy capacity reached around 250.5 GW in 2025, a significant rise from 175.9 GW in 2023, reflecting rapid expansion and sustained policy focus on clean energy.
Solar energy has remained the dominant force in this transition, contributing 37 GW of the total additions in 2025. This growth has placed India second only to China in solar expansion, with solar continuing to be the backbone of the country’s renewable push. Across Asia, solar capacity has grown rapidly, emerging as the primary driver of renewable energy expansion.
While solar leads, other renewable sources are also gaining momentum. Wind energy’s contribution to new capacity addition in 2025 reinforced its role as a key pillar of the energy mix. Hydropower capacity also saw growth, increasing from 52 GW in 2024 to 56 GW in 2025. Additionally, pumped hydro storage capacity expanded significantly from 4.7 GW to 7.2 GW, highlighting the increasing emphasis on energy storage solutions to support intermittent renewable generation.
Globally, renewable energy continues to expand at an unprecedented pace. According to IRENA, total installed renewable capacity worldwide reached 5,149 GW in 2025, with an annual addition of 692 GW, reflecting a growth rate of 15.5%. Renewables now account for 49.4% of total global power capacity, signalling a major shift toward sustainable energy systems.
In this scenario, India’s rapid progress underscores its commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and advancing toward its sustainability goals. The record-breaking additions in both wind and solar energy not only highlight the country’s growing leadership in the renewable sector but also reinforce its role in driving the global transition toward cleaner energy.
(Cover photo by Sunny Tank on Unsplash)