Tata's $4bn India wind power bonanza sparks turbine race
Envision, Senvion India, Suzlon and Siemens Gamesa said to be in hunt for projects that could total up to 5GW
Four wind turbine OEMs are in the running for long-term supply agreements with Tata Power that could add up to 5GW and more than $4bn over the next five years, according to Indian media reports.
Tata Power – the energy arm of Indian conglomerate Tata – is on a massive procurement drive as it ramps up the deployment of wind-solar hybrid projects, partly to meet the corporate energy demands of group companies, including Tata Steel.
Four OEMs – China’s Envision, western contender Siemens Gamesa and local players Suzlon and Senvion India – are among the bidders, added the newspaper.
Envision has over the last few years emerged as the market leader in India and recently announced plans to launch a 5MW turbine for the market there. Senvion India has also just unveiled a new turbine.
Siemens Gamesa – which until a few years ago held the top spot – has been linked with a sale of its Indian operation, while a resurgent Suzlon is seeking to regain its former leadership in its home market.
Suzlon vice-chair Girish Tanti told the recent WindEnergy Hamburg event that India is facing an “invasion” of its wind turbine market by international players.
India wants to have 122GW of wind power in operation by 2032, up from 47GW in place now.
A report from think-tank Ember this week said deployment of wind will be crucial to meeting India’s climate goals by adding nighttime generation capacity to the daylight contribution of the nation’s massive solar fleet.
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