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Draft revised guidelines for installation of prototype wind turbine models

The Ministry of Renewable Energy (“MNRE”), vide circular dated April 9, 2025, has issued the draft revised guidelines for installation of prototype wind turbine models, (“Revised Guidelines”), to regulate the installation and certification of prototype wind turbines in India. In this regard, MNRE has invited comments/suggestions from the concerned stakeholders which can be submitted within 3 (three) weeks (i.e., April 30, 2025) to [email protected].

The Revised Guidelines are issued in suppression of the guidelines for installation of prototype wind turbine models issued by the MNRE on May 22, 2012[1] (“Original Guidelines”), to facilitate the installation of limited number of prototype wind turbines to promote testing and certification process of wind turbine in the country.

The Revised Guidelines are applicable to all wind turbine manufacturers operating in India who intend to install prototype wind turbine models within the country and integrate them with the Indian grid system. It is recommended that land allocation for such prototype installations be carried out on a ‘footprint basis’ to optimise land use efficiency. Pursuant to the Revised Guidelines, installation of a prototype wind turbine model is allowed only to carry out type testing for obtaining type certificate from internationally accredited certifying agencies, subject to the following conditions:

Implementing agency: The Revised Guidelines will be implemented by the National Institute of Wind Energy (“NIWE”), Chennai. The manufacturer(s) of the wind turbine whose prototype is to be installed, must submit requisite information and documentation as per the prescribed format (to be provided by NIWE) to NIWE, Chennai, for obtaining recommendation to permit installation of wind turbine prototype model for testing and grid synchronisation/
Eligibility and documentation requirements (to be submitted with the application):
- the type certification scheme must be in accordance with IECRE OD 501 and/or IS/IEC 61400-22:2010, as prescribed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (“IEC”);
- Internationally Accredited Testing and Certification Bodies (“IATCB”), is authorised to carry out the type testing and certification. Whereas, ‘prototype certificate’ for the prototype wind turbine model (to be installed at a specific location) will be provided to NIWE by the wind turbine manufacturer;
- the manufacturer(s) of wind turbines will provide copies of contracts signed for type testing and type certificate with IATCB;
- the prototype certificate will have a maximum validity period of 3 (three) years. An extension of the prototype certificate’s validity may be granted subject to the compliance of the prescribed conditions and submission of revised/modified prototype certificate for the same prototype wind turbine model to NIWE. Additionally, a list of changes or modifications as well as a list of new components/parts used in the modified prototype wind turbine (issued by the type certification body), must be provided to NIWE along with revised/modified prototype certificate to obtain the revised recommendation letter for conducting type testing; and
- a letter issued by the type testing and type certification body on the status of type testing and type certification will be provided at the end of every year to NIWE.
Operation and maintenance:
- regular maintenance and service will be carried out for the prototype wind turbines installed. The type certification body will provide a letter at the end of the year regarding regular operation and maintenance of prototype wind turbines. Failing which the wind turbines are liable to be disconnected from the grid;
- testing and obtaining the type certificate for the prototype wind turbines must be completed within 3 (three) years from the date of issuance of the recommendation letter by NIWE. However, the prototype certificate will be valid until the type certificate is issued. In case of submission of revised/modified prototype certificate for the existing prototype wind turbine model and after obtaining the revised recommendation letter from NIWE to carryout type testing, the testing and certification must be completed, and type certificate will be submitted within the validity period of prototype certificate;
- commissioning certificate/grid synchronisation report for the prototype wind turbines, issued by the concerned state utility/State Nodal Agency (“SNA”), will be provided by manufacturer to NIWE, immediately after the commissioning/grid synchronisation. All the prototype wind turbines will be commissioned/grid synchronised within a maximum period of 18 (eighteen) months from date of issuance of recommendation letter from NIWE;
- the number of prototype turbines is suggested to be mentioned instead of Megawatt (“MW”), since higher capacity wind turbines such as 5.2 (five point two) MW is already available in the Indian market;
- the type certificate for prototype wind turbine model will be obtained from an IATCB as prescribed, within the 3 (three) years from the letter of NIWE. In case of submission of modified/revised prototype certificate, the type certificate must be submitted within the validity period of revised/modified prototype certificate, failing which such installed prototype wind turbine(s) will be immediately disconnected from the grid and uprooted at the cost of manufacturer(s);
- the prototype wind turbines will be owned by the concerned wind turbine manufacturer and will not be sold to any party, until the model is included in a revised list of models and manufacturers of wind turbines. serial production and installation of prototype wind turbines will not be allowed until the wind turbine model is included in the revised list of models and manufacturers of wind turbines;
- the components/items procured/imported for manufacturing of the prototype wind turbines will be new and unused. No second-hand components or machines will be allowed. However, the changes/modification to the already installed prototype wind turbine will be allowed as per the prescribed process; and
- an affidavit and indemnity bond must be submitted by the manufacturers to the state utility/SNA and NIWE for complying to the above conditions. The format of the indemnity bond can be obtained from NIWE.