India added 1.8 GW of wind energy capacity in the first quarter (Q1) of the calendar year 2025, an increase of 63% year-over-year (YoY) from 1.15 GW in Q1 2024. The capacity additions rose 134% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), according to Mercom India Research.

Wind-specific renewable purchase obligations from 2023 to 2030 and the annual onshore wind bidding target of 10 GW from 2023 to 2027 have served as key long-term policy enablers for capacity additions. However, the 100% Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges waiver, currently set to expire in June 2025, has led to a spike in installations in Q1 and is expected to further accelerate activity in the upcoming quarter, particularly if the waiver is not extended.

During the quarter, Karnataka led all states in capacity additions with 620 MW. Madhya Pradesh followed with 351 MW, a significant increase despite reporting no installations in previous quarters. Tamil Nadu added 331 MW, while other states collectively contributed 573 MW to the total installed capacity.

JSW Renew Energy commissioned 210.5 MW under SECI’s 2500 MW ISTS-connected projects (Tranche-IX) across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and Sembcorp commissioned 54.6 MW under the 1,200 MW ISTS-connected (Tranche-XI) project in Karnataka in Q1 2025.

As of March 2025, the cumulative installed wind capacity was 50 GW, rising 3.9% from 48.2 GW at the end of December 2024.

At the end of Q1, Gujarat led the cumulative installed wind energy capacity with 12.6 GW. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka followed with 11.7 GW and 7.3 GW, respectively.

Maharashtra and Rajasthan rounded off the top five with 5.2 GW each of cumulative installed wind capacity.

Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh also had significant cumulative wind installations, with 4.3 GW and 3.1 GW at the end of the quarter.

The top five states accounted for 84.5% of the cumulative installed wind capacity as of March 2025.

Hybrid power projects, particularly those combining wind and solar and Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) projects, have been key drivers of wind installations in India. Looking ahead, the repowering of aging wind turbines presents a significant opportunity for future growth.

In January 2025, Telangana set a target of 2.5 GW for wind installations under its Renewable Energy Policy initiatives.

In October last year, Andhra Pradesh announced its wind installation target of 35 GW capacity by 2029. In December, Rajasthan unveiled its plans for 25 GW of wind and hybrid energy by 2030 under its Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024.