GE Turbines Selected for Indian Wind Farm

Atlanta, Georgia [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Surana Industries Limited of Chennai, India, a producer of thermo mechanically treated (TMT) bar steel and stainless steel products and components, is turning to wind energy to help power its factories. The company has selected GE Energy’s wind turbines for a 12 MW wind farm to be located in the village of Radhapuram in the state of Tamilnadu, South India.

GE is supplying eight of its 1.5 MW wind turbines for the project, which is scheduled for commissioning in July of 2005 and is expected to generate approximately 36 million kWh of electricity per year. GE also is providing technical advisory services for the erection and commissioning of the turbines, and operation and maintenance services for five years. The project site is approximately 12 kilometers northeast of Kanyakumari, a world-renowned tourist area. With more than 1,000 MW of wind turbines already installed in the region, Kanyakumari offers India greatest wind power potential. The Surana Wind Farm marks GE Energy’s second wind project in India. Last year, GE supplied 18 of its 1.5 MW wind turbines for the Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. Wind Power Project in Karnataka State, South India. India currently ranks fifth in the world and first in Asia with approximately 3,000 MW of installed wind capacity. The interest of private investors and developers in setting up commercial wind projects, combined with federal and state renewable energy initiatives, have been key factors driving the growth of the country’s wind industry. “India offers very exciting opportunities for the wind industry,” said Robert Gleitz, general manager of GE Energy’s wind power business. “With an untapped wind power potential estimated at 45,000 MW, and strong interest in adding renewable energy capacity, the country can be a cornerstone for wind energy development across Asia.”