Suzlon Energy Limited, India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, has won a major order from Gujarat State Petronet Ltd. to set up, operate and maintain its 52.5 MW wind farm in the Rajkot and Porbandar districts of Gujarat. The wind farm will comprise 35 units of Suzlon’s model S82 – 1.5 MW wind turbines, and is scheduled to be completed and commissioned by July 2010.
Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited, the parent company of Gujarat State Petronet, has an existing wind farm of 52.5 MW in the Kutch district of Gujarat supplied, set‐up and operated by Suzlon since July, 2009.
Speaking on the project Mr. Ashok D’sa, President – South Asia and Middle East of Suzlon, said: “Gujarat State Petronet is a leading player in developing energy transportation infrastructure in Gujarat and this repeat order, after the successful execution of the first project for the parent company Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited, is an endorsement of our customer’s trust in Suzlon’s technology, services and capabilities. We acknowledge with gratitude the confidence reposed by Gujarat State Petronet in Suzlon and look forward to strengthening our relationship with the group”.
Suzlon has been the top ranked player in Gujarat’s wind power sector for many years. Suzlon’s Kutch wind farm is one of the largest in Asia. Suzlon offers the concept‐to‐commissioning business model to wind energy investors in India, providing a comprehensive suite of services from turbine supply, to EPC, lifetime operations and maintenance, liaison and other services covering the entire value chain. The success of the model is seen in Suzlon’s rapid growth in India – with over 40 sites across eight states, and an installed base of nearly 4,800 MW and a customer portfolio comprising the leaders of Indian Industry.
US and Australia: two other key markets
The 728 MW in the pipeline for the US correspond to nine wind farms in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington, which the company announces “will almost all use S88-2,1MW turbines". According to the company’s own data, Suzlon has 1,750 MW installed in the US.
Down under, the wind farm developers Meridian and the utility AGL, both Australian firms, have revealed plans to build a 365 MW wind farm using Suzlon machines. The Macarthur wind farm will be located in Victoria in south-eastern Australia. Nevertheless, the green light for this project will depend on the final text of the legislation and remunerative framework being drawn up for renewable energies in Australia. The Government expects that the new law will come into effect at the start of 2011.
New renewables legislation in Australia
Suzlon recently welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement to introduce measures to enhance the operation of the Renewable Energy Target (RET), and supports the Government’s approach of introducing a Large Scale Renewable Energy Target and a Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Suzlon is now looking forward to the release of the industry consultation paper where the details of the proposed changes to RET will be made clear. “The industry now needs a speedy change to the legislation to allow investment to flow again,” the company said in a recent press release.
Mr. Dan Hansen, CEO of Suzlon Energy Australia, said: “The Renewable Energy Target is the main driver of investment in clean, renewable energy projects in Australia. The Government’s announced intention to improve the operation of RET is great news and will underpin the successful expansion of Australia’s renewable energy industry. An effective RET will create new clean energy jobs and help Australia make the transition to a low carbon economy. Suzlon is now looking forward to working with the Government on the details of the legislation to ensure a thriving market for renewable energy projects in the coming decade.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Tulsi Tanti, Chairman and Managing Director of Suzlon Energy Limited, said: “We welcome the Australian government’s strong support for renewable energy. The recent announcement by the Government to enhance RET is a clear signal to the international business community that Australia is serious about investing in a clean energy future.”
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