Indian wind industry is set to exploit overseas markets with leading wind equipment manufacturers eyeing emerging markets.

Be it Regen Powertech, RRB Energy or Suzlon, senior executives are confident that the Indian industry has built up the capability to compete for new markets globally.

According to Madhusudan Khemka, Managing Director, Regen Powertech, domestic manufacturers should look at emerging markets in places like South-East Asia, where Indian expertise like low-cost and high-quality can deliver value. Manufacturers will have to establish their presence overseas before tapping developed markets in the West. Vietnam and the Philippines are markets that Regen Powertech would be looking at. To Rakesh Bakshi, Chairman and Managing Director, RRB Energy, SAARC countries offer significant potential; Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are on the company’s radar, he said.

Chintan Shah, President, Suzlon Energy, handling business development, said SAARC and West Asia are the markets to explore. The domestic industry needs support to bring down cost of capital and also a fillip through market access funding, he said. The executives were part of a panel discussing a range of issues impacting the Indian wind industry at Wind Power India 2012 international exhibition and seminar.

Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO, ReNew Power, an Independent Power Producer, had a word of caution for equipment manufacturers. The industry should not spread itself too thin at the cost of quality of service. As an IPP, it is hard when equipment manufacturers do not keep up the commitment and delivery schedules.

Ramesh Kymal, Chairman, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association, and Chairman and Managing Director, Gamesa Wind Turbines, said the continued shortage of power in the domestic market will keep the demand for equipment going in the long-term. However, the withdrawal of incentives has hit the mood in the short-term.

balaji.ar@thehindu.co.in

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