German engineering company Flender has inaugurated a new facility in Tamil Nadu to test gearboxes used in 13.5 MW-class wind turbines, among the largest wind turbines in terms of power generation capacity. The facility is located at the company’s factory near Chennai and marks a major upgrade in wind technology testing infrastructure in India.
According to the company, the new test rig is the largest wind turbine gearbox testing facility in India. It significantly expands Flender’s earlier testing capabilities, which were limited to gearboxes used in 6 MW-class wind turbines.
Upgrade in Wind Turbine Testing Capacity
Gearboxes are a key component in wind turbines. They convert the slow rotational movement of wind turbine blades into higher rotational speed, which is required for generators to produce electricity.
A wind turbine gearbox test rig is designed to simulate the mechanical loads and operating conditions that a gearbox experiences in real wind turbines.
Key Highlights of the Facility
- Designed to test 13.5 MW-class wind turbine gearboxes
- Considered India’s largest gearbox test rig
- Upgraded from earlier 6 MW testing capacity
- Supports development of next-generation wind turbines
The company said the project reflects its global manufacturing collaboration.
“Our team of experts commenced this milestone project in January 2025 at the Voerde site in Germany and successfully accomplished the schedule within 13 months of development and construction. Converters, motors, centre blocks, and motor slides were successfully manufactured in China, while transformers, colling systems, and steel and shell construction were supplied from India,” the company stated.
Boost for India’s Wind Energy Sector
Tamil Nadu has long been one of India’s leading states in wind energy generation and was among the earliest adopters of wind technology in the country. The state government has also recognised Flender for its investments and employment generation in the region.
India is expanding its renewable energy capacity with an ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable power by 2030, including 100 GW from wind energy.
Current Wind Energy Status in India
- Installed wind capacity: Over 54 GW
- Additional projects under development: Around 30 GW
- Annual capacity additions: 3–4 GW
During the financial year 2024-25, wind energy generated 3.35 billion units of electricity, accounting for about 5% of India’s total power generation.
Growing Renewable Energy Contribution
Government data also shows that on 29 July 2025, India recorded its highest-ever renewable energy generation, when green energy sources supplied 51.5% of the country’s electricity demand of 203 GW.
The generation mix included:
- 44.50 GW solar power
- 29.89 GW wind power
- 30.29 GW hydropower
Commenting on the company’s expansion in India, Andreas Evertz, Group CEO of Flender GmbH, said the firm has increased its annual production capacity from 800 MW to 16 GW. He added that Flender has invested over €100 million in India in recent years to expand manufacturing capacity.
The components produced in India serve both domestic demand and export markets, including the United States, Europe, and Australia.
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