Suzlon to generate 1,000 mw of wind power in Gujarat

Suzlon energy will be generating 1,000 mega watt (mw) of power in Gujarat by developing large windfarms in coastal areas of the state by 2006.

"We will be generating about 1,000 mw of power in Gujarat by setting up wind turbine generators (WTGS) in Kutch and Porbandar districts,'' said D Alok, general manager (marketing).

"Favourable land for this purpose has already been identified on which we will set about 850 WTGS, each having a capacity of 1.25 mw'', he added.

The installation will take place in two phases of 500mw each during 2006 and will incur a total investment of Rs 5,000 crore'', added Alok.

Land close to the sea and having good windy conditions has been identified by the company to set up its turbines, he said. According to the company official, Suzlon in Gujarat also controls 65 per cent of the current installed capacity of 270mw of wind energy.

However, Alok felt it was more economical to set up windfarms in Maharashtra than in Gujarat as the former was buying electricity at Rs 3.5 per unit while Gujarat was paying Rs 2.60 per unit.

Suzlon, set up in 1995, initially manufactured and supplied WTGS for a 3.34 mw windfarm project in Gujarat using 0.27 mw and 0.35 mw WTGS. The company has since grown and has a total installed capacity of 1,500 mw, most of which is in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

"Gujarat, with about 1,600 km coastline has a potential to generate about 17,000 mw of wind energy'', Alok said.