India Climbs to Global 2 in Wind Energy: Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)

Source: BS

Context:

India’s rise to the second spot in global wind energy installations marks a significant milestone in its journey toward the 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030.

Summary

• Keywords: Onshore Wind, 6.3 GW Capacity, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), Khavda Renewable Energy Park, Hybrid Power Generation, Turbine Manufacturing, Adani Wind, Global #2 Market.
• The Achievement: India commissioned a record 6.3 GW of wind energy in 2025, an 85% increase from the previous year.
• Global Ranking: India is now the world’s largest wind market outside of China, overtaking the USA and Germany.
• The Epicenter: The 30 GW Khavda Park in Gujarat is the primary driver of this surge, functioning as a massive solar-wind hybrid hub.
• Industrial Growth: Indian manufacturing is scaling globally, with Adani Wind breaking into the top 15 turbine manufacturers worldwide.

Background Concept

To understand how India achieved this surge, it is important to look at the transition from traditional onshore wind to high-capacity hybrid parks.

1. Onshore vs. Offshore Wind

Most of India’s current capacity is Onshore Wind (turbines on land). While offshore wind (turbines in the sea) has higher potential, onshore is currently more cost-effective and faster to deploy.

Offshore wind farm

2. The Hybrid Advantage

The Khavda Park uses a Solar-Wind Hybrid model.

• The Logic: Solar power peaks during the day, while wind speeds are often higher at night or during the monsoon. By combining both, the “Plant Load Factor” (efficiency) increases, providing a more stable supply to the national grid.

3. Turbine Technology Scaling

Modern turbines are becoming taller with larger blades. Larger blades allow turbines to capture “low-velocity” wind, which is crucial for states outside the high-wind zones of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Key Exam Terms

• Onshore Wind: Wind energy generated from turbines located on land.
• BNEF (Bloomberg New Energy Finance): A strategic research provider that covers global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Khavda Renewable Energy Park: Located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, it is set to be the world’s largest renewable energy park with a 30 GW capacity.
• Hybrid Power Generation: An energy system that integrates two or more renewable energy sources (like solar and wind) to improve reliability and grid stability.
• Gigawatt (GW): A unit of power equal to one billion watts. It is the standard unit used to measure the capacity of large-scale power plants.
• Turbine Manufacturer: A company that designs and builds the wind turbines (blades, nacelles, and towers).
• Grid Stability: The ability of an electrical grid to maintain a constant voltage and frequency despite fluctuations in power supply or demand.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. According to the BNEF 2025 report, which country is the largest wind market in the world, positioned ahead of India?

A) USA

B) Germany

C) China

D) Brazil

Q2. What was the record-breaking wind energy capacity commissioned by India in 2025?

A) 1.0 GW

B) 3.5 GW

C) 6.3 GW

D) 30.0 GW

Q3. The massive 30 GW Renewable Energy Park, which is a major contributor to India’s wind energy surge, is located in which state?

A) Rajasthan

B) Tamil Nadu

C) Gujarat

D) Maharashtra

Q4. What is the primary benefit of a “Solar-Wind Hybrid” facility like the one in Khavda?

A) It makes the turbines spin faster.

B) It ensures more stable power generation by balancing day-time solar and night-time wind.

C) It reduces the height of the wind towers.

D) It eliminates the need for a connection to the national grid.

Q5. Which Indian entity was ranked 15th among global turbine makers in the 2025 report?

A) Suzlon Energy

B) Adani Wind

C) Tata Power

D) ReNew Power

Answers:

Q1: C | Q2: C | Q3: C | Q4: B | Q5: B