India’s expanding network of free-trade agreements (FTAs), coupled with the global push for decarbonisation, could open up more opportunities for the country’s wind energy equipment makers to expand their presence in international markets. Tamil Nadu can secure the next wave of high-value wind manufacturing by leveraging its established industrial base and port infrastructure, supported by competitive incentives and lower delivered-energy costs, industry representatives said.“Unlike several other clean-tech sectors, particularly solar and batteries, where India remains dependent on imports and overseas supply chains for critical materials and technologies, the domestic wind industry has developed a largely localised ecosystem, built indigenous technology and intellectual property, and established global competitiveness without relying on direct incentives,” Girish Tanti, Chairman of IWTMA (Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association) and co-founder of the Suzlon Group told ToI.Tanti believes this gives India an opportunity to leverage its expanding FTA network to take its wind manufacturing capabilities to global markets. With wind power deployed in 133 countries, the addressable market for Indian manufacturers, technology providers and project developers is potentially significant.Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), has said India could account for around 10% of the global wind supply-chain market. India has a wind manufacturing ecosystem, with turbines and components produced domestically and tech capable of competing with global benchmarks.Wind turbine manufacturing capacity has grown to 24GW annually, up from 12GW in 2020-21, while wind equipment exports touched 12,800 crore in FY26, an increase of nearly 50%. Domestic value addition is estimated at more than 70%, highlighting the progress in building a self-reliant manufacturing base.However, strengthening capabilities in high-value components such as gearboxes, specialised bearings and advanced materials will be critical to closing the remaining gaps, said Saravanan Manickam, Vice Chairman-cum-Secretary of IWTMA. As the industry transitions towards higher-rated turbines, manufacturers must accelerate indigenisation while building the production capacity needed to meet rising demand.TN is well positioned to benefit from this expansion, given its established manufacturing base and export infrastructure. The state hosts an integrated wind manufacturing ecosystem, with blade and tower production concentrated in Trichy and Viralimalai, nacelle and hub assembly facilities in Chennai and Oragadam, and export logistics supported by VOC Port in Tuticorin. This interconnected industrial and port infra provides a base for the state to strengthen its role as a hub for wind energy equipment manufacturing and exports.Major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Suzlon, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa and ZF, have established manufacturing operations in TN. Global companies such as Envision Energy, Senvion India and Flender are also strengthening the local supply chain. Suzlon, among other manufacturers, has announced fresh investments to expand production capacity in the state.Wind equipment manufacturers in TN are looking to raise localisation levels to around 85%, further strengthening the state’s position in domestic and global supply chains. Tanti has set a broader national ambition of raising India’s share of global wind turbine exports from around 2% currently to 10% by 2030, positioning the country as a global hub for wind turbines, components, technology and engineering.TN faces competition from other states seeking investments in high-value wind components. Industry sources said targeted, port-linked and manufacturing-specific incentives would be essential to retaining the state’s position as a preferred destination for the next generation of megawatt-scale wind platforms and their components.The industry has sought a targeted wind and offshore manufacturing package, including capital expenditure subsidies of 10% for large plants and 20% for MSMEs from the state govt, in line with benchmarks in Gujarat, to retain and expand high-value component manufacturing.
