Suzlon Group, the world’s third leading wind power company, announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat to develop 1,000 megawatt (MW) of new wind farm capacity in the state over the next three years.
The MoU covers the development of new capacity in wind farm plants across the state, with development planned in the districts of Saurashtra, Kutch and other parts of Gujarat. The MoU was signed under the auspices of the fifth biennial Vibrant Gujarat conference.
Suzlon Group has actively participated in Vibrant Gujarat, since its inception in 2003. Over the past five conferences, Suzlon has signed six MoU’s with the Government of Gujarat, committing over Rs. 14,000 crore (~USD 3.1 bn) for the development of wind farm projects, R&D centers, manufacturing facilities and in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The Company has already delivered 60 per cent of the promised development, translating into investments of Rs. 8,400 crore (~USD 1.9 bn) in the state.
Gujarat offers the largest wind potential in the country. Currently, Suzlon has over 1,100 MW of wind turbines installations across Kutch, Porbandar, Rajkot and Bhavnagar districts of Gujarat. The wind farm in Kutch is one of the largest in Asia with installations of over 800 MW and growing.
This capacity translates to over 850 wind turbines installed for over 256 customers, producing enough green and clean energy to power nearly 880,000 Indian households. The favorable policy regime in the state has facilitated this rapid growth and enabled Suzlon to bring in investments by various national players like ONGC, Indian Oil, State Bank of India, DLF, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, and leading state PSUs like Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation and Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Tulsi R Tanti, founder, Chairman and Managing Director – Suzlon Group, said: “We are extremely pleased to sign this MoU with the Government of Gujarat. This not only reinforces Gujarat‟s position as one of India‟s leading industrial states, but as a visionary leader embracing progressive policies emphasizing clean, sustainable development to power a low-carbon economy.
“This MoU opens up the Gujarat market as an attractive destination for investors in India and around the world, and could drive over Rs. 6,000 crore in new investments into the state, translating into hundreds of green jobs. In addition to direct benefits, the projects will also create plentiful clean energy to power the state’s rapid growth.
“Suzlon – as a dream and a company – was born in Gujarat. We started our journey in 1995 with the first installation in Dhank, Gujarat. It gives us great pride to be a part of its development into a world class low carbon economy in its own right.”
Gujarat is home to Suzlon’s rotor blade test facility – to develop advanced aerodynamics testing solutions – the first and only one of its kind in Asia, and one of three in the world. With five manufacturing units in Vadodara, Bhuj and Gandhidham, the state is the manufacturing hub for Suzlon. Suzlon has its state headquarters in Ahemdabad and employs nearly 1,200 people across its various facilities in the state.
Suzlon Group ranked as the world’s third* leading wind turbine supplier in terms of market share in 2009. Suzlon has its corporate headquarters – Suzlon One Earth – in Pune, India. The company‟s global spread reflects in its projects and markets portfolio – extending across Asia, Australia, Europe, South Africa and North and South America.
Suzlon is a highly vertically integrated wind turbine manufacturer with manufacturing capability along the full value chain – from components to complete wind turbine systems. The Group has installed over 15,000 MW of wind energy capacity in 25 countries, established operations across 32 countries, with a workforce of over 13,000 personnel.
Suzlon was recognized with the Gigaton Award for global leadership in emissions control and sustainability practices in the energy at the COP16 summit in Cancun, Mexico. Suzlon was also ranked as a prestigious Business Superbrand ranking in 2010 for the second time.
Suzlon has a share of over 90 per cent in REpower, and taken together, have a combined market share of 9.8 per cent. 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.
