India’s wind power capacity increased in 2014-15 by 2,297 MW, marginally higher than its achievement of 2,146 MW in the previous year. Wind turbine manufacturers Gamesa, ReGen Powertech and Inox performed better, seizing market shares from GE, Vestas, Leitner Shriram and Kenersys. Suzlon was almost flat.
These numbers are lower than what the industry had hoped at the beginning of the year. However, Madhusudhan Khemka, Chairman of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers’ Association, said that the industry “missed about 400 MW” because of delays in signing power purchase agreements in a few states, notably Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Khemka, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of the wind turbine manufacturer ReGen Powertech, said he was confident that the current year’s installation would cross the 3,000 MW-mark, (numbers not seen since 2011-12.)
Ramesh Kymal, Chairman and Managing Director, Gamesa India, attributed the company topping the sales list to “good wind research” and robust products. Gamesa, a subsidiary of the Spanish wind major of the same name, expects to add 1,000 MW in the current year, he said.
Kymal, a past-President of the Association, said policy framework and implementation was key to India breaking out of the 2,500-3,000 MW level. He noted that issues such as long term policy framework, assured supply of debt, enforcement of the mandatory green power purchases by the ‘obligated entities’ need to be addressed.