8. India Achieves Record Wind Energy Capacity Addition in FY2025-26

Context: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced that India added a historic 6.05GW of wind energy capacity during the 2025-26 fiscal year. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 5.5GW set in 2016-17, signaling a major revival in the wind power sector and reinforcing India’s commitment to its \'Panchamrit\' climate targets. Analysis of Wind Energy Growth and Strategic Drivers • Historic Milestone: The addition of 6.05GW in a single fiscal year has pushed India’s cumulative installed wind power capacity beyond 56GW. This represents a significant acceleration in deployment compared to the stagnant growth observed over the past decade. • Policy and Regulatory Tailwinds: The surge is attributed to improved policy clarity, including the transition from physical e-auctions to a closed-envelope bidding system in certain segments, and the implementation of a defined bidding trajectory of 50GW of renewable energy capacity annually. • Infrastructure Readiness: Enhanced transmission readiness and the development of Green Energy Corridors have reduced \'curtailment\' risks, encouraging independent power producers (IPPs) to execute a strong pipeline of pending projects. • Competitive Tariff Discovery: Technological advancements in turbine efficiency (higher hub heights and larger rotors) have allowed for competitive tariff discovery, making wind-solar hybrid projects more commercially viable for Discoms. • Repowering Potential: A significant portion of the momentum also stems from the government’s focus on \'Repowering\' older, low-capacity wind turbines at prime sites with modern, highcapacity versions to maximize land-use efficiency. • Global Standing: With this addition, India continues to solidify its position as one of the global leaders in wind energy, trailing only behind China, the USA, and Germany in total installed capacity. Essential Definitions • Installed Capacity: The maximum theoretical electric output a power plant can produce under ideal conditions. • Repowering: The process of replacing older wind turbines with newer, more efficient ones to increase the energy yield from the same site. • Transmission Readiness: The availability of high-voltage power lines and sub-stations required to carry electricity from the point of generation (wind farms) to the national grid. Constitutional and Legal Framework • Article 48A (DPSP): Directs the State to protect and improve the environment. Promoting renewable energy is a core strategy to fulfill this constitutional mandate. • Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment. • Electricity Act, 2003: The primary legislation governing the power sector, which mandates State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to specify a percentage of electricity purchase from renewable sources (Renewable Purchase Obligation - RPO). • National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018: Provides a framework for the promotion of large gridconnected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal utilization of transmission infrastructure and land. Conclusion The record-breaking addition of 6.05GW marks a turning point for India’s wind energy sector, which had long been overshadowed by the rapid growth of solar power. To maintain this momentum, the focus must now shift toward harnessing the vast offshore wind potential along the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Addressing land acquisition hurdles and ensuring timely payments by Discoms will be crucial for achieving the 2030 target of 500GW of non-fossil fuel capacity. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper III (Economy & Infrastructure): Energy sector, renewable energy targets, and the role of infrastructure in economic growth. • GS Paper III (Environment): Climate change mitigation, COP26/COP28 commitments, and the transition to a low-carbon economy.