India Pushing for Wind Turbine Manufacturing Indigenization
MNRE issues draft amendments to the RLMM application procedure
In April 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a draft amendment regarding the procedure for including wind turbines in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM). Similar to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) in the solar sector, the proposed amendments aim to strengthen the domestic wind turbine manufacturing ecosystem by introducing non-tariff barriers that limit imports. Additionally, the amendments seek to enhance the protection of India’s wind sector from potential cybersecurity threats.
Table: Key proposals in MNRE draft amendment for inclusion of wind turbines in RLMM
Source: MNRE
*Note: MNRE exempts new turbine models and manufacturers from this mandate for the first 50 wind turbines or a cumulative capacity of 200 MW, whichever is lower.
The significant proposed amendments in the draft notification are primarily based on a study by NITI Aayog titled “Final Report on Domestic Manufacturing Capacity & Potential Cyber Security Challenges in the Wind Sector and Way Forward,” published in March 2024. This study revealed that the manufacturing capacity for key components of a Wind Turbine Generator (WTG), such as wind turbine blades and gearboxes, is significantly lower than that of the final assembled product, indicating a heavy reliance on imports. Notably, China, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, is India’s leading source of these imports.
Figure: Domestic wind turbine manufacturing capacity, by components and cost share (2025)
Source: MNRE, NITI Aayog
Source: No data regarding the domestic manufacturing capacity of blades and generators is available.
Although the draft MNRE amendments will apply to future enlistments in the RLMM, they require Indian wind turbine manufacturers to realign their component supply chains to focus on domestic sources. The draft stipulates that at least 64% of wind turbine components (by cost) must be sourced domestically.
In the long run, these amendments are expected to promote a comprehensive development of India’s entire wind turbine manufacturing ecosystem. However, in the short term, this transition may strain Indian wind turbine manufacturers as they adjust their supply chains. Certain components, such as tower flanges and gearboxes, may face challenges due to limited domestic availability and a high dependency on imports. Therefore, the six-month buffer period for gearboxes and generators, along with the absence of a buffer for other components, is seen as overly ambitious by industry experts, especially as India seeks to strengthen its position in the global wind turbine market.
In line with its renewable energy targets for 2030, India aims to add approximately 70-90 GW of new wind power capacity, indicating significant domestic demand for manufacturers. Achieving this target will require regulators and policymakers to strike a sustainable balance between efforts to promote local wind turbine manufacturing through tariff and non-tariff barriers and the development and execution of wind projects. India’s transition from being a wind energy leader in South Asia to achieving global dominance will depend heavily on implementing the right policy measures and strategic market interventions.