The Global Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) Global Wind Report 2025 has warned that the world is unlikely to meet its wind energy targets, which could jeopardize global efforts to limit warming to below 2°C. The report states that only 77% of the 2030 targets will be met, which is a significant shortfall. In 2024, 117 GW of new wind capacity was added globally, with China leading the market, followed by the United States, Brazil, India, and Germany.
India has made significant progress in wind energy, with a cumulative installed capacity of 50.04 GW as of March 2025. The country added 4.15 GW of wind power capacity in FY 2024-25 and ranks 4th globally in terms of total installed wind power capacity. However, India still faces challenges such as land acquisition complexities, non-modernized grid infrastructure, policy inconsistencies, and high upfront costs for wind projects.
To strengthen wind energy production in India, the government needs to simplify land acquisition, implement a uniform national wind policy, and repower old wind farms with high-capacity turbines. Additionally, promoting offshore wind potential, hybrid wind-solar projects, and domestic manufacturing of wind energy equipment can help boost the sector. The government can also promote funding through green bonds and leverage carbon credit mechanisms to monetize emissions reductions from wind energy.
The wind energy sector in India also faces challenges such as e-waste disposal and cybersecurity concerns due to reliance on imported components. To address these issues, the government can implement effective e-waste management policies and promote domestic manufacturing of wind energy equipment.
In conclusion, India’s wind energy sector has shown strong progress, but it needs to overcome several challenges to achieve the country’s renewable energy targets. By simplifying policies, promoting domestic manufacturing, and investing in innovation, India can strengthen its wind energy sector and contribute to global efforts to limit warming to below 2°C.
The Global Wind Report 2025 highlights the need for countries to scale up their wind energy production to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The report emphasizes the importance of offshore wind energy, which has the potential to significantly contribute to the global wind energy mix. India, with its vast coastline, has a significant opportunity to harness offshore wind energy and contribute to the global effort to limit warming to below 2°C.
The Indian government has set ambitious renewable energy targets, and wind energy is expected to play a crucial role in achieving these targets. However, the sector faces several challenges, including land acquisition complexities, policy inconsistencies, and high upfront costs. To overcome these challenges, the government needs to implement policies that promote domestic manufacturing, simplify land acquisition, and provide incentives for wind energy production.
In the context of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the topic of wind energy is relevant to the subjects of environmental science, energy policy, and sustainable development. The question paper may include questions on the current status of wind energy production in India, the challenges facing the sector, and the policies and initiatives taken by the government to promote wind energy. The topic is also relevant to the previous year questions, which have included questions on the Paris Agreement, climate change, and renewable energy.