Suzlon Energy is gearing up to tap into India’s large base of ageing wind turbines by developing a new product designed to increase their output. With many of these older turbines located at high wind potential sites, the company sees a significant opportunity in the repowering market.
Focus on Capacity Upgrade, Not Full Replacement
“There are two types of repowering potential. One is where you don’t change much, but increase the capacity by replacing components like the blades or the nacelle. We are working on a product that can do just that—upgrade older, lower-capacity turbines without a complete overhaul. We aim to start tapping into this potential by the end of this year,” said JP Chalasani, Chief Executive Officer of Suzlon Group. Suzlon anticipates gaining momentum in this business segment during FY 2027 and FY 2028.
Vast Repowering Opportunity Across India
India’s wind power sector has a substantial number of installations from before the year 2000, many of which have sub-megawatt capacities. These ageing turbines are typically located at high-wind-resource sites but operate inefficiently due to outdated technology and lower hub heights—often between 30 to 60 metres, compared to the 120–140 metre hub heights seen in newer installations.
Some of these older units have already exceeded their design life, while others are nearing the end of it. Upgrading these systems presents a significant opportunity to extract more energy without requiring new land or infrastructure.
National Push for Repowering and Life Extension
The National Institute of Wind Energy estimates that India has a repowering potential of 25.4 GW for turbines below 2 MW capacity. Recognising this, the Union government introduced the ‘National Repowering & Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects – 2023’ to support the upgrade and continued use of older assets.
Suzlon Aligns with India’s Green Energy Goals
By focusing on smart upgrades rather than full replacements, Suzlon’s strategy aligns with India’s broader clean energy transition—improving energy output while keeping costs and environmental impact in check. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, with the upcoming product launch, Suzlon is positioning itself as a key player in the next wave of wind energy optimisation.
