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Repowering India’s Ageing Wind Farms Could Unlock 25.4 GW Potential: CSE Report

India’s ageing wind infrastructure holds vast untapped potential, according to a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Repowering old, inefficient turbines with modern technology could unlock 25.4 GW of additional capacity, representing an investment opportunity worth Rs1.39-1.52 lakh crore.

Despite being located in some of the world’s most wind-rich regions, states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra continue to operate thousands of outdated turbines, many under 1.5 MW capacity with low utilization factors of 10–14%. These occupy high-potential Class I wind zones but fail to meet modern efficiency standards.

The report highlights major challenges such as fragmented ownership, outdated power evacuation systems, inadequate turbine models, and regulatory hurdles. For example, Tamil Nadu’s Muppandal region still uses 11 kV feeder systems from the 1990s, which are incompatible with modern 1.5–2 MW turbines. Upgrading to 33 kV or higher and building more 400 kV substations is essential to address bottlenecks.

CSE stressed that repowering economics differ from greenfield projects, with additional costs like dismantling and grid upgrades. It urged targeted policy support, fiscal incentives, concessional loans, and performance-based grants to make repowering financially viable.