Adani Group's ANIL to Produce India's Longest Wind Turbine Blades at Mundra Facility
Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), the renewable manufacturing arm of the Adani Group, is set to manufacture 91.2-meter onshore wind turbine blades at its Mundra plant in Gujarat. This development represents the longest blades to be produced in India, signaling a major leap in the country's renewable energy infrastructure.
Technological Advancement and Production Timeline
The Mundra facility currently produces blades measuring 78.6 meters and 80.5 meters. The new 91.2-meter blade, comparable in length to a football field and taller than a 30-story building, introduces significant design complexity and materials engineering challenges. Officials have confirmed that the initial set of these blades has already been installed on a new turbine model, with serial production expected to commence within the current calendar year.
Impact on Wind Energy Output and Geographic Relevance
Blade length is a critical factor in wind energy generation. The 91.2-meter blade enables a rotor diameter of nearly 185 meters, sweeping an area of approximately 26,600 square meters—larger than three football fields combined. This increased swept area, coupled with higher-rated capacity turbines, allows for more efficient capture of kinetic energy from the wind, thereby enhancing power output.
An official highlighted the importance of this advancement for India: "This is particularly relevant for India, where a large share of potential wind sites falls in low- to medium-wind regimes. Larger rotors and higher hub heights make these locations commercially viable, expanding wind deployment beyond traditional high-wind corridors. The shift towards turbines rated above 5 megawatts (MW) is therefore as much about geography as it is about technology."
Manufacturing Capacity and Expansion Plans
ANIL's blade manufacturing facility at Mundra currently has a capacity of 2.25 gigawatts (GW) per annum, equivalent to about 450 blade sets annually. The company plans to scale this up to 5 GW in phases, with a longer-term ambition of reaching 10 GW. Investments in wind manufacturing at the site are estimated at up to ₹3,000 crore, with future capital expenditure focused on:
- Automation and advanced tooling
- Materials research, including recyclable blade materials
- Development of larger rotor designs
Mundra as a Renewable Manufacturing Hub
Mundra is evolving into a multi-technology renewable manufacturing hub, housing facilities for wind turbines, solar modules, and supporting components within a single ecosystem. This integrated approach aims to streamline production and enhance efficiency in the renewable energy sector.
India's Position in Global Wind Energy
India ranks fourth globally in cumulative installed wind capacity, with around 55 GW operational. It is also the world's third-largest wind manufacturing base, with a domestic manufacturing capacity of approximately 20 GW—sufficient to meet about 10% of global demand. Key statistics include:
- Localization levels across the wind value chain are estimated at 70–80%, covering towers, nacelles, blades, and key components.
- Blade manufacturing alone accounts for nearly 16 GW of capacity, giving India close to a 10% share of global blade manufacturing.
This initiative by ANIL underscores India's growing prowess in renewable energy manufacturing and its commitment to expanding wind power deployment across diverse geographic regions.
