Suzlon Energy Limited said it has installed 1,500 wind turbine generators across India with a combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts or 5 gigawatts, which will contribute to the country’s low-carbon targets while ensuring energy security and rural development.
The world’s No. 3 wind turbine manufacturer said the combined capacity will electrify four million homes and reduce carbon emissions by about 8.5 million metric tons annually.
With over 1,000 megawatts installed in three major Indian states, Suzlon accounts for almost half of the country’s total wind installations.
«This achievement is significant, not only for Suzlon, but for India. In our 63rd year of independence, India is on an accelerated growth path with a demonstrated commitment to fight climate change,” said Tulsi Tanti, Suzlon managing director and one of India’s richest businessmen.
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In 2009, India announced that it will reduce its emission intensity by 20 percent to 25 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and up to 37 percent by 2030. India aims to attain 10,500 MW wind power capacity from 2007 to 2012.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reported that 9,522 MW of total wind power capacity has been installed in the country as of 2008.
The Global Wind Energy Council’s 2009 report states that India will be second only to China in terms of having the largest wind market. The council said the country will sustain its 2-GW annual capacity increase, which will be complemented by the growth of other markets in Asia – the fastest growing market in the world.
“In just over a decade, India’s wind market has grown from just around 50 MW per year to nearly 2,000 MW per year, and we at Suzlon are proud to have led this,” said Mr. Tanti.
“The 5,000-MW milestone for us is a testimony of trust invested in us by all our stakeholders, including our customers, policymakers, regulatory commissions, nodal agencies, utilities, banks, vendors, shareholders and our employees,” he added.
Among Suzlon’s latest project is the 8.4-megawatt wind farm for the Kishangarh Hi-tech Textile Park in Rajasthan. The company has also installed projects in Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America.
Despite the increase in wind power capacity, the Energy Information Administration said India’s renewable energy consumption accounts for only 1 percent of its energy mix, compared with 53 percent and 31 percent from coal and oil, respectively. India’s carbon emission is at 1.494 billion metric tons a year.
