“Yaozu’s extensive experience in both China and the wider region makes him an excellent fit for us at Suzlon. China is now the largest market for wind turbines in the world and we wanted someone of Yaozu’s stature to be our Suzlon China CEO. We are confident that, with Yaozu at the helm, and the encouraging public policy regime, our business can now really take off.”
Yaozu’s appointment comes at a time when Suzlon is giving a strong push to expand its China operations through initiatives including establishing an R&D centre in Tianjin, co-investing in wind farm projects, and increasing its manufacturing investment. In addition, with the appointment of Yaozu, Suzlon will be the first major international wind turbine manufacturer in China with a Chinese CEO.
Yaozu has been a senior adviser to China Machinery New Energy Co, and serves as a non-executive director of China Green Power Limited. He also served on the board of Hoi Sing Industrial Holding Company. He was previously managing director of Global Infrastructure Company (Asia) Limited and, prior to that, managing director of Ogden Energy in China. He is a senior fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors.
He Yaozu said: “I have watched Suzlon’s entry into the China market with interest. Their strategy has been very different from other entrants and they are now competitive with the domestic sector. This is an exciting time to be joining what is the world’s third largest wind turbine manufacturing group, and I am confident we will be announcing significant orders and increasing our market share shortly.”
Suzlon recently hosted a senior Chinese Government delegation to its “One Earth” headquarters in Pune, India. The delegation was led by the Deputy Administrator of China’s National Energy Administration, Liu Qi, of Vice Minister rank, who said during his visit: “Suzlon has adapted very well to understanding the needs of the Chinese wind energy market. It has also demonstrated its commitment to China with investments in its manufacturing facility at Tianjin and product development for the Chinese market. Thus, Suzlon is wellpositioned to be a key part of the Chinese renewable energy landscape”.
Suzlon in China
Suzlon in China operates through two key subsidiaries: Suzlon Energy (Tianjin), Ltd. (Suzlon China), and REpower. Suzlon Energy (Tianjin) Limited was established in 2006. The facility at Tianjin is an integrated production site with testing facilities, and an annual production capacity of 600 MW per year. Suzlon also has a sales office in Beijing and a procurement office in Shanghai.
REpower entered the China market in 1997 through cooperation with local companies in China. Its China licensees to date include Goldwind, Dongfang and Windey. The Suzlon Group (Suzlon+REpower) currently ranks eighth in the wind power market with 3.4 per cent market share. As of 2009, Suzlon has been executing contracts totalling over 1 GW in China.
Suzlon Energy Limited is ranked as the world’s third leading wind turbine supplier in terms of market share in 2009. Suzlon has its corporate office in Pune, India. The company’s global spread reflects in its projects and markets portfolio – extending across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. Suzlon is a vertically integrated wind turbine manufacturer with manufacturing capability along the full value chain – from components to complete wind turbine systems.
Suzlon and REpower, if taken together, stand as the world’s third leading wind turbine supplier group in terms of market share. Market share of 9.8 per cent is derived from BTM Consult ApS World Market Update 2009, ranking Suzlon with 6.4 per cent of global market share and REpower with 3.4 per cent of global market share.
