16 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Wind Energy at the Center of India’s Strategy for the Renewable Energy Sector

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 16, 2025)

Content

Brief Overview
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasized wind energy’s growing importance, its role in decarbonizing the grid, and the government’s supportive policies and initiatives. 

Key Highlights

• Strategic Significance

  • Wind energy now forms a core pillar of India’s renewable energy plans.

  • This comes in tandem with expanding solar capacity, green hydrogen development, and international partnerships.

• Capacity Growth & Future Targets

  • India has consistently expanded wind power capacity, aided by incentives like accelerated depreciation and viability gap funding.

  • Targets include reaching 70 GW intermediate-term and unlocking 140 GW-plus long-term potential.

• Technological Innovation & Modernization

  • Emphasis on deploying high-capacity turbines and repowering older generators.

  • R&D push in offshore wind, advanced forecasting, and integration technologies.

• Policy & Regulatory Support

  • Introduction of competitive bidding, waiving inter-state transmission charges, and fiscal incentives.

  • State-level nodal agencies facilitate approvals and grid connectivity.

• Environmental and Social Co-benefits

  • Reduced CO₂ emissions and enhanced energy security.

  • Job creation, especially in manufacturing, installation, and operations.

• Integrating with Green Hydrogen

  • Co-location of electrolyzers alongside wind farms to utilize clean electricity and produce green hydrogen — a key pillar for hard-to-abate sectors.

Analysis

• Renewable Energy Synergy

  • Wind complements solar (night vs. day generation), enhancing grid reliability.

  • Hybrid projects can optimize land use and minimize intermittency.

• Economic & Industrial Impact

  • Domestic turbine manufacturing aligns with “Make in India.”

  • Export potential to Southeast Asia and Africa.

• Climate Leadership

  • Scaling wind energy helps India meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

  • Offshore wind adds depth to India’s climate-resilient energy infrastructure.

Way Forward

• Repowering & modernization of aging wind farms is critical.

• Offshore wind policy framework must be finalized; transparent auction regime to follow.

• Grid infrastructure upgrades at inter-state and intra-state levels.

• Continuous R&D and international cooperation will enhance cost-competitiveness.

Check this out 14 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC