On Global Wind Day 2025, Union minister for new and renewable energy Pralhad Joshi stressed on the importance of wind energy and said that it is crucial to India’s clean energy plans and crucial to its ambition of becoming a global manufacturing hub.Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Bengaluru, he said India needs reliable energy, from wind, solar or other sources, to become a global manufacturing hub.“Wind energy is not a component of our renewable energy strategy, but it is at the heart of it and at the centre of Atma Nirbhar Bharat,” he said.The minister said that India has achieved 51.5 GW of wind capacity, marking a 150% increase over the last decade, and is now exporting turbines and components globally. The country has set its sights on 100 GW of wind energy by 2030, including 30 GW from offshore projects, “backed by strong policy reforms and a robust manufacturing ecosystem.”The minister said India has set clear and ambitious goals — to get 50% of its power from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 and to become net-zero by 2070. He stressed that wind energy is not just a part of the country’s renewable strategy, but lies at its core and is key to building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat.He also underlined the three issues the sector must now tackle: integrating wind with solar and storage for round-the-clock power, reducing tariffs from the current Rs 3.90 per unit, and boosting manufacturing efficiency to compete globally.Highlighting PM Modi’s vision, Joshi said the goal is to use renewable energy to power India’s manufacturing sector, while conventional energy continues to meet household needs.India is currently the world’s fourth-largest country in installed wind power capacity and the third-largest renewable energy producer overall. India’s manufacturing capacity is increasing, and it will continue to rise.“No one had thought that India would become the third largest manufacturer of renewable energy in 10 years, but today it is a reality,” said the minister.To unlock the full potential of the wind sector, Joshi outlined five focus areas: expanding into new states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha; launching the offshore wind sector with leasing areas in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu; integrating wind with storage for firm green power; modernising the grid using AI-based forecasting; and strengthening local manufacturing across the wind value chain.Joshi also released two key reports, the Wind Energy Roadmap and Manufacturing Roadmap, to serve as frameworks for India’s clean energy journey.“These documents reflect our strategic vision and our collective resolve to build a strong, self-reliant wind ecosystem,” he said.The event also saw the recognition of top-performing states in wind capacity addition: Karnataka led with 1,331.48 MW, followed by Tamil Nadu (1,136.37 MW) and Gujarat (954.76 MW).Union minister of state for new and renewable energy, Shripad Yesso Naik, and Karnataka’s energy minister, KG George, were also present at the event.India’s wind ambitions align with its global climate commitments, including the five-point ‘Panchamrit’ pledge made at COP26 in Glasgow. These include reaching 500 GW of non-fossil capacity, cutting emissions by 1 billion tonnes, and reducing emissions intensity by 45%, all by 2030.
