Accelerated wind energy dev’t in India could add 31.2GW capacity by 2026

It can also add $18b to India’s economy between 2022 and 2026. 

Accelerated wind energy development scenario in India would result in the installation of almost 31.2 gigawatts of wind capacity between 2022 and 2026, with a potential upside of 9.7 GW, according to the Global Wind Energy Council.

This is higher than the business-as-usual scenario where installation during the same period was expected to reach almost 21.5 GW, according to the Capturing Green Recovery Opportunities from Wind Power in Developing Economies.

The green recovery scenario of accelerated wind energy development will also create 795,000 direct and indirect jobs in the development, construction, and installation phase during the period, whilst 71,000 annual direct and indirect jobs will be created in the operation and maintenance arm.

The green recovery scenario has a potential upside of 1.1 million additional jobs during the period.

This scenario will also contribute $18b direct and indirect gross value added in India’s economy between 2022 and 2026, higher than the $11b gross value added seen under a business-as-usual scenario.

Meanwhile, the business-as-usual scenario will create 565 direct and indirect jobs on the development of the wind capacities, whilst 36,000 annual direct and indirect jobs will be created for operation and maintenance.

GWEC noted that India is targeting 140 gigawatts of installed wind energy capacity by 2030. It has currently reached 28% of the wind target as of 2021.