Suzlon, Vestas get nod for Kerala projects

The Kerala government on Tuesday accorded technical clearance to the projects of wind power majors Suzlon Energy Limited and Vestas Wind Technology Limited. The two firms have proposed to set up wind power generation plants with an installed capacity of 13Mw.

While Suzlon received the nod to set up a 4.8Mw project at Agali in Palakkad district, Vestas got the clearance to set up a 10Mw project at Ramakkalmedu in Idukki district. State minister for power AK Balan handed over the certificates of clearance to the representatives of the two companies.

The technical clearance for the wind power projects has been given by the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (Anert).

Speaking to Business Standard, K Suresh Kumar, AGM (corporate affairs), Suzlon Energy, said the company had proposed to set up a 20Mw wind power project and had initially received clearance for around 4.8Mw.

"We have identified land in and around Agali in Palakkad district and will now rope in investors to set up wind turbines there. We hope to see local investors as well," he added. Suzlon's project in the state will have 33 turbines of 600Kw capacity.

The 4.8Mw project would be ready by the end of September this year and will have 8 turbines.

According to Ramesh Kymal, managing director of Vestas, the company's wind power project at Ramakkalmedu would be up and running by September this year. "We plan to bring in local investors to set up the wind power turbines for our 10Mw project," he said.

Post-September 2007, he said the company would set in motion work on more such projects. The Vestas project would have 13 turbines.

The companies are yet to work out the cost of the projects.