The world’s third leading and India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer will conduct the 150 MW of projects in two phases – the first 50 MW by March 2011 and the remaining 100 MW progressively by September 2011 – at a total cost of approximately Rs. 865 crore (€142 million).
Suzlon will supply a mix of its S82–1.5 MW and S88–2.1 MW turbines, the power generated by which will be purchased by the respective state’s distribution utilities at the prevailing feed-in tariff under a long term power purchase agreement.
Speaking on the order, Suzlon Energy Limited’s Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Tulsi R Tanti, said: “The Vedanta Group is one of India’s leading industrial houses, and we are very pleased to be their partner of choice. This order underlines the acceptance of wind energy as a viable and profitable solution to meet the increasing appetite among large corporations for reducing their carbon footprint, and meeting energy needs in sustainable manner.”
Breaking the 15 GW barrier
Thanks to this latest deal with the Vedanta Group, Suzlon has crossed 15 GW of cumulative installations in 25 countries worldwide, which it estimates is equivalent to 9 percent of the world’s total wind capacity. The cumulative power generation from these 15 GW has, the group claims, the potential to light up more than 13 million households every year.
The Suzlon’s Group’s 15 GW of worldwide installations includes 10 GW by Suzlon Energy Limited and 5 GW by REpower Systems AG – in which Suzlon Energy Limited is a majority shareholder with a holding of over 90 percent. It covers Group onshore and offshore installations worldwide.
The Suzlon Group’s key markets are India (5,626 MW), the US (2,861 MW), Germany (1,840 MW), France (1,073 MW) and China (857 MW). It is market leader in India with over 50 percent market share, as well as being number one in Brazil and Australia and number three in the US.
“The 15,000 MW mark is a great achievement for the group and a testament to the trust placed in us by our stakeholders. From our humble beginnings just 15 years ago, we have grown to be a world leader in wind energy. This landmark signifies the growing acceptance and importance of wind in the energy mix, and Suzlon’s role in bringing that about,” Tulsi R Tanti commented on this significant milestone.
“We have barely scraped the surface”
“As we look ahead, there is incredible potential waiting to be tapped. Global wind potential is estimated at 72,000 GW – more than four times the current world energy consumption –and we have barely scraped the surface. Harnessing this potential means providing for a clean, green future, sustainable livelihoods, and very important – energy security. As a group, we are well positioned to compete in the global wind market and play our part in providing ecologically sustainable development all over the world,” he added.
Over the past 15 years, Suzlon has grown from strength to strength. From a small India-based operation in 1995, it has grown to be a leading wind power company with manufacturing facilities, supply chain operations, project management and operations and maintenance in over 32 countries across six continents. The Group offers customers a comprehensive product line to suit every customer’s need – from 600 kW to 6 MW wind turbines catering to both the onshore and offshore wind market.
Suzlon in India accounts for nearly half of the country’s total wind installations and has added over 5,500 MW of wind power capacity for over 1,600 customers across 40 wind farms locations in eight states. It has built one of the biggest wind farms in the world: the Sankeneri wind farm which has an installed base of 686.30 MW. Other major Indian wind farms comprising Suzlon turbines include the Kutch wind farm, with a total capacity of 806.20 MW, and the Dhule wind farm in Maharashtra (690.05 MW).
With an aim to positively impact the communities in the Suzlon neighborhood, the Suzlon Foundation was incorporated in 2007. The foundation has partnered with experienced and committed NGOs and Government Departments to implement over 120 projects running in across eight states and two Union Territories; directly benefiting 33,000 vulnerable families in 466 Indian villages.
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