India’s geographical and climatic conditions offer a significant potential for wind energy generation. With an estimated capacity of 45.887 gigawatts (GW) by March, 2024, wind energy is a crucial component of India’s energy strategy and has the fourth largest installed wind power capacity in the world. This renewable source not only aids in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels but also plays a vital role in combating climate change.
The Indian Wind Energy Market: An Overview
Over recent years, the Indian wind energy market has seen substantial growth, primarily driven by the leading wind turbine manufacturers. With ongoing government initiatives and an increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions, the market’s expansion is expected to continue. According to a research report by Statista, India will experience an annual growth rate of 4.94% (CAGR 2024-2029).
Understanding Wind Turbines
How Wind Turbines Work
Wind turbines harness the kinetic energy from the wind, converting it into electrical energy. This process involves the movement of blades connected to a generator; as the wind propels the blades, they spin the generator, producing electricity.
Types of Wind Turbines
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs)
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) are the most commonly used type of wind turbines globally and are particularly prevalent in large-scale wind farms. Characterized by their towering masts and blades that rotate around a horizontal axis, HAWTs are highly efficient in capturing wind energy. The design of these turbines allows for larger blade lengths, which can harness more wind across a broader area, translating to higher energy output. Typically positioned to face the wind, HAWTs often include mechanisms for yaw adjustment to optimize wind capture as wind directions change. Their efficiency and scalability make them a preferred choice for commercial wind energy projects aiming to generate significant amounts of renewable power.
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs)
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) offer a distinctive alternative to the more common horizontal axis turbines. These turbines feature a vertically oriented rotor shaft, which is advantageous in environments where wind direction is highly variable. VAWTs are particularly suited for urban settings or residential areas due to their compact design and lower noise levels, making them less obtrusive. Additionally, they can capture wind from any direction without the need for orientation mechanisms, simplifying their design and potentially reducing maintenance costs. While generally less efficient than their horizontal counterparts in large-scale energy production, VAWTs are an excellent choice for smaller-scale applications and innovative urban renewable energy solutions.
Leading Wind Turbine Manufacturers in India
1. Suzlon Energy Limited
Suzlon Group is a global leader in renewable energy, with a presence in 17 countries across various continents. The company specializes in delivering high-performance, reliable renewable energy solutions, emphasizing sustainable development and responsible growth. Suzlon’s headquarters, the One Earth campus in Pune, India, exemplifies its commitment to sustainability, boasting Platinum LEED certification and a GRIHA 5-star rating, highlighting its status as one of the world’s greenest corporate campuses.
2. Inox Wind
Inox Wind is a prominent wind energy solutions provider in India, serving a wide range of clients including IPPs, utilities, and corporates. The company operates three state-of-the-art manufacturing plants across Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh with a total capacity of 1,600 MW. Inox Wind focuses on producing high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs), especially suited for India’s low wind speed sites. The company boasts a skilled and experienced team, and holds multiple certifications including ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO 3834-2. Additionally, its turbines are type-certified by TUV SUD and listed in RLMM by C-WET, ensuring adherence to international standards.
3. Orient Green Power Ltd
Orient Green Power ranks as one of the largest Independent Power Producers of Renewable Power in India. As of June 2022, it boasts a substantial portfolio of 402.3 MW in wind assets distributed across several Indian states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Additionally, the portfolio extends internationally with a 10.5 MW wind farm located in Croatia, Europe. This diverse geographic spread underscores the company’s significant presence in the renewable energy sector both domestically and abroad.
4. Indowind Energy Limited
Indowind is an Independent Power Producer in the renewable energy sector, specializing in generating “Green Power®” through its dedicated wind farms and providing related services. With over 25 years of experience, the company excels in establishing and maintaining wind farms, ensuring high machine availability, and selling Green Power® to corporates and utilities. Indowind possesses extensive knowledge and skills in project management, and its robust financial and managerial resources enhance its operations. The company’s dedicated O&M team ensures 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of wind mills. The strong credibility and strategic approach of its promoters give Indowind a competitive edge in the wind energy market.
5. RRB Energy Limited
RRB Energy, a leader in Renewable Energy Power Generation, has been providing custom-built turnkey solutions since 1987. The company has produced millions of megawatts of power through numerous wind farms across India, powering over a million homes with zero-carbon energy. RRB Energy is committed to natural resource conservation and offers sustainable, affordable, and clean energy solutions. With the goal of becoming the world’s top renewable energy company, RRB focuses on global environmental and economic contributions while striving for humanity’s welfare. The company is dedicated to developing viable renewable energy solutions to address the global environmental crisis through zero carbon emission technologies.
6. Vestas India
Vestas India, a leader in wind energy technology, is committed to delivering the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) to meet customer expectations in a competitive auction environment. With nearly two decades of market experience, the company excels in providing cost-effective solutions. Vestas has consistently innovated in the Indian market with top-tier products and services. Effective collaboration and early engagement with both internal and external stakeholders have enabled Vestas to better understand and meet specific needs through tailored solutions.
7. Enercon India Pvt Limited
Operating in India as Wind World Ltd., Enercon India was established in 1983 and has grown to have the capacity to produce 28 GW of wind energy. Beyond power generation, the company also provides technical and business support services. Enercon is recognized as a leader in the wind energy sector both in India and globally, and it proudly stands among the top 500 companies listed by Engineering News Record (ENR).
8. SANY
SANY has positioned itself as a prominent and competitive manufacturer of wind turbines and wind farm services across global markets. Since 2008, SANY has been developing MW Class Wind Turbines tailored for diverse wind regimes in countries including India, China, the USA, Africa, and Brazil. The company offers economically viable solutions for customers looking to invest in wind energy. As part of its vertical integration strategy, SANY manufactures key components such as blades, generators, gearbox components, control systems, and other subsystems.
9. ReGen Powertech Pvt. Ltd
Regen Powertech stands out as one of India’s most versatile wind energy enterprises. Based in Chennai with its headquarters, the company is involved not only in manufacturing wind turbines but also offers a range of services such as consultancy, supply, and erection for wind energy projects. Additionally, Regen operates a manufacturing plant located in Andhra Pradesh.
Industry Insights
Market Size and Growth
The global wind turbine market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2017 to 2023. In India, the sector’s growth is supported by government policies and an increasing focus on sustainable development.
Demand for Wind Turbines
The demand for skilled technicians in the wind turbine sector is rising, with employment expected to grow by 68% from 2020 to 2030, reflecting the industry’s expansion.
Future Outlook
The Indian wind energy sector is poised for continued growth, playing an essential role in the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. With ongoing advancements and government support, the future looks promising for wind energy in India.
