Pune: Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL), India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, cumulatively announced new orders of 168.5 MW (megawatt). These orders are in addition to the previously announced Techno Group order of 202 MW on September 21st, 2010 and the Altrade Group order of 30 MW on September 3rd, 2010.

Tulsi R. Tanti, founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Suzlon said, “Our India business is roaring ahead. The diversification of the sector – from PSUs, IPPs and captive consumers – sets a solid foundation for our industry. We remain very optimistic about our home market and the orders we announce today from these prestigious customers are further evidence of that.”

These new orders are from a broad range of customers in corporate, PSU and small/medium business segments. The biggest of these is from Gujarat State Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited (GSFC) for 33 MW. GSFC is a leading state Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in Gujarat, in the field of fertilizers and chemicals, with a diversified portfolio of 24 brands.

This is the fourth repeat order to Suzlon from the Group which, upon completion, will increase the GSFC Group’s wind power portfolio to a total of 77 MW.

Sai Regency Power, an arm of KSK Energy Ventures, has placed an order of 18.9 MW for a project to be set-up in the Tirunelvelli district of Tamil Nadu. The power generated from the project will be utilized for captive consumption.

M/s Narbheram Vishram, a Kolkata-based company in the mining business with diversified interests in steel and wind power, has placed a repeat order of 15 MW with Suzlon for a project at the Akal site in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. The power generated will be purchased by the state power distribution utility under a long term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Gujarat-based diversified business conglomerate, The Friends Group, has placed a repeat order for a 12.6 MW project to be set-up in Rajasthan. The power generated will be purchased by the state power distribution utility under a long term PPA.

Suzlon has received two more repeat orders. First, from M/s G N Agrawal, a Goa-based company in iron-ore mining business with diversified interests in real estate and wind power. The order of 10.5 MW comprises of five units of the S88-2.1 MW turbine for projects to be set-up in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The second order is from the cement major, Ambuja Cement, and this order is for a 7.5 MW project comprising of five units of S82-1.5 MW turbine, to be set-up in the Kutch district of Gujarat for captive purpose.

Gujarat Power Corporation Limited has placed an order with Suzlon for their first wind project of 6 MW in Gujarat. The order comprises of four units of the S82-1.5 MW turbine, and the power generated will be purchased by the state power distribution utility under a long term PPA.

India is the world’s fifth biggest wind market with a cumulative installed base of over 12,000 MW. The total estimated onshore wind power potential in India, as per data from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is over 48,000 MW. The sector is poised for accelerated growth driven by demand for power, strong support for renewables by the Government’s sound policy framework and a positive investment outlook.