Energetica India Magazine May - June 2026

India’s wind fleet is maturing rapidly, and with that comes a shift in priorities. The conversation is no longer just about adding capacity – it is about protecting the investment already in the ground. For operators running turbines across remote and high-al- titude sites in India, every unplanned maintenance intervention carries a real cost, in time, in safety, and in lost generation. India’s wind energy sector is entering a defining decade. With 53.99 GW of installed capacity as of November 2025, a 12.5 percent year-on-year increase, and projections by the Global Wind Energy Council pegging potential capacity at over 107 GW by 2030, the country is on course to more than double its installed base and is fast becoming one of the largest wind pow- er markets in the world. As turbines multiply across India’s wind-rich states, from the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to the highlands of Rajasthan and Maharashtra, the challenge is no longer just about capacity expansion. It is about keeping these assets running efficiently, safely, and sustainably over de- cades of operation. O&M expenses account for approximately 10-25 percent of the total cost per kWh over a turbine’s lifetime, and gearbox maintenance is a major contributor # . Historically, gear oils needed replacing every three to five years - meaning multiple oil change operations across a turbine’s lifespan, each requiring turbines to go offline, technicians to go up-tower, and signif- icant logistical effort across often remote terrain. For India’s wind operators, every intervention carries a real cost - in time, in safety, and in lost generation. India’s wind fleet is maturing rapidly, and with that comes a shift in priorities. The conversation is no longer just about add- ing capacity – it is about protecting the investment already in the ground. For operators running turbines across remote and high-altitude sites in India, every unplanned maintenance intervention carries a real cost, in time, in safety, and in lost generation. Why Are Turbine O&M Costs Rising? Several factors are driving up the cost of keeping turbines op- erational. The gearbox is the most complex and most expensive component to service – built to last around 25 years, but vul- nerable to temperature fluctuations and load changes that can cause cracking and failure. A gearbox replacement can easily run into six figures once warranty cover expires. The trend towards larger turbines – hub heights exceeding 90 metres, rotor diameters beyond 120 metres – helps reduce the cost per megawatt-hour, but also raises the stakes when things Keeping India’s Wind Fleet Turning: How Mobil™ is Making Smarter Turbine Maintenance a Reality Vasanth Thangavelu General Manager - Brand Marketing South AP ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd. TURBINE O&M 44 energetica INDIA- May-June_2026