Suzlon Moves on 3,000 Megawatts of Andhra Pradesh's Windpower Potential

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Potential investments adding up to $3.5 billion will be generated by the development of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity in the southeastern coastal Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Suzlon Energy Limited (BSE:532667) (Pune, India) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state's government to increase wind generating capacity over the next four years. The agreement was signed under the auspices of AP's Partnership Summit 2012. AP's government will facilitate the process of obtaining necessary permissions, registrations, approvals and clearances for the development of the windfarms. Suzlon will be the project developer and facilitate the channeling of investments to the state through clients who invest in wind energy.

The memorandum covers development of new capacity in windfarms across the state with specific projects to be developed in the districts of Tallimadugula, Alankarayanipeta, Gandikota, Varakarur, Tirumalaypalli and other regions of AP.

The potential for wind power in AP is currently being promoted. The state's potential is estimated to be 9,000 MW, of which only 200 MW has been exploited. The sites favored for wind project developments have medium to low wind resource availability. These wind conditions, says Suzlon, are ideally suited to the company's new suit of S9X turbines.

The S9X is designed to operate in the lower speed wind spectrum. The 2.1-MW turbine evolved from the successful S88 turbine, which has more than 4,100 MW of installed capacity in 11 countries. It is currently Suzlon's most robust turbine, with a double-fed induction generator converter, featuring variable speed, a swept area with rotor diameters of 95 and 97 meters and 80-, 90- and 100-meter hub heights.

Suzlon has more than 18,000 MW of installed wind power generation capacity worldwide.

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