India Explores Wind Turbine Repowering to Boost Capacity by Nearly 50% Without Additional Land Acquisition
India is considering a significant wind energy repowering initiative aimed at increasing generation capacity at existing wind farms by almost 50% without requiring additional land. The Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) has identified approximately 5–8 GW of aging wind power capacity suitable for immediate upgrade by replacing older, smaller turbines with modern, higher-capacity machines. The long-term repowering opportunity is estimated at around 25 GW. This initiative is being discussed with the central government and key wind-producing states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The goal is to accelerate renewable energy deployment, improve land utilization, and enhance electricity availability, particularly when solar generation declines. The proposed upgrade involves replacing older turbines, many with capacities up to 2 MW, with new-generation machines ranging from 3 MW to 5 MW or higher. These modern turbines feature larger rotor diameters, taller towers, and improved o...