06 August 2025
Utilities
Expert Speak
WTG localization: market share, margin shifts key catalysts
We recently hosted an expert session with Mr. Ajay Devaraj, advisor and former Secretary
General of the Indian Wind Power Association, to discuss the potential impact of local content
implementation in wind turbine generator (WTG) manufacturing.
Our key conclusions from the session include:
1) Overall, Mr. Devaraj believes foreign players operating in India can potentially ramp up
localization in WTG manufacturing. Vendor capacity/capability for components such as
blades, towers, and even gearboxes is sufficient; however generators and bearings may
face some challenges.
2) The recent order regarding localization could be a first step towards long-term
indigenization, and the govt. may push for further backward integration in the future.
3) Foreign players looking to operate in India will find it hard to compete unless they achieve
scale (as cost advantage is gone); further, smaller players looking to enter India and import
and sell WTG equipment will now be deterred.
4) Lack of trained manpower and unavailability of key raw materials will be key challenges
faced by players to increase localization.
Overall, while theoretically foreign companies operating in India can likely scale up on
localization, many could be deterred due to the need to undertake long-term investment.
Further regulatory action encouraging localization cannot be ruled out, as already evident in
the solar module space, where ALMM was followed by ALCM, and there is now speculation
about ALWM. Such regulatory measures incentivize long-term investment, which we believe
will be key to continuing to scale up in India. As such, we see market share gains for Suzlon
(dominant domestic OEM) along with alleviation of pricing pressure on WTG realizations in the
coming quarters. Reiterate BUY.
India's wind energy progress continues
As of now, India has an installed wind capacity of 51.6 GW, against a 2030 target of
100 GW. Of the 25.5 GW under construction, 3.6 GW is yet to commence, leaving a
balance of 19.3 GW to be auctioned and commissioned before 2030.
On the manufacturing front, India has an annual WTG manufacturing capacity of ~18
GW, though current utilization remains low at ~20–25%. The country has 14
manufacturers producing rotor blades ranging from 29.8m to 166.8m and operating
at hub heights between 48.7m and 160m, with turbine capacities spanning 0.2 MW
to 5.2 MW.
As per the latest amendment dated 31st July 2025, projects awarded before this
date and commissioned on or before 31st July 2028 are exempt from the ALMM
(Wind) requirement. Additionally, new manufacturers or models are exempt for two years, capped at 800 MW.
Mr. Devaraj emphasized that the amendment does not restrict imports required for manufacturing these
components, and he believes that ~5-6GW of wind capacity installation is possible in FY26, given that such a
milestone was also achieved in the past.
Mr. Ajay Devaraj
Mr. Devaraj is a senior
professional with four decades
of leadership experience in
driving transformational
change across renewable
energy, mining, healthcare,
steel, and manufacturing
sectors. As Secretary
General of the Indian Wind
Power Association, he had
successfully repositioned the
Association as a trusted
advisory partner to the
Government on renewable
energy policy and regulatory
frameworks. He has
fostered cross-ministerial
collaborations with key bodies
(Ministry of External Affairs,
Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, and
Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship) to
address supply chain,
geopolitics, manpower
pipeline, and component
availability. He also facilitated
national infrastructure
projects, enhancing grid
stability through advanced
weather forecasting in
partnership with the Central
Electricity Authority, Grid
India, and the Indian
Meteorological Department.
Abhishek Nigam - Research Analyst
(Abhishek.Nigam@MotilalOswal.com)
Preksha Daga - Research Analyst
(Preksha.Daga@MotilalOswal.com)
Investors are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.
Motilal Oswal research is available on www.motilaloswal.com/Institutional-Equities, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Capital.
11 September 2024
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