Chennai: Suzlon Group, a leading wind energy equipment maker, is investing Rs 200 crore to set up a new, large wind-blade manufacturing facility in southern Tamil Nadu, strengthening its manufacturing footprint in the state and creating about 2,000 jobs.The proposed plant, which will come up on a 40-acre site along the Tuticorin-Melakarandai National Highway, will have two manufacturing lines and produce Suzlon’s latest S175 wind turbine, rated at 5 MW.Over the last three decades, we have invested about Rs 775 crore directly in Tamil Nadu and currently employ about 2,000 people directly, besides supporting around 1,500 indirect jobs. “With the new facility, we expect to add more than 500 direct jobs and around 1,500 indirect employment opportunities,” Girish Tanti, co-founder of Suzlon Group, told TOI.The new investment comes as Suzlon expands its manufacturing capacity to cater to the growing demand for wind power in India. The company has held initial discussions with the Tamil Nadu govt on the proposed expansion. “I think the new government is pretty progressive,” he said.The proposed factory will be a very high-tech facility. “So, we have embraced digital technology in a very big way, primarily for three things — either to enhance productivity, enhance workplace safety, or enhance performance,” Tanti said.The facility, which is planned to have a manufacturing capacity of nearly 1 GW, is expected to be up and running by early 2027. “So, it’s strategically located, which will give it the flexibility for exports also,” he added.Suzlon has had a long manufacturing presence in Tamil Nadu, with the state being among the first locations where the company began its operations in the mid-1990s. The company initially established its presence in the Muppandal wind energy cluster in the southern part of the state.The company currently runs one of its largest manufacturing units at Puducherry. Spread over a 66-acre plot, the Puducherry unit now operates as an integrated plant for Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) and Nacelle Covers (NCU). It also runs a large forging operation in Coimbatore.Suzlon’s expansion comes at a time when Tamil Nadu is seeking to regain its position as India’s leading renewable energy state, particularly in wind power. The state has significant wind and solar resources, besides a large industrial base that is driving electricity demand.The proposed facility will add to Suzlon’s manufacturing footprint in Tamil Nadu and is expected to strengthen the state’s position in the country’s wind turbine manufacturing ecosystem.In June this year, Suzlon unveiled its 2.0 growth strategy, with a five-year capex plan of Rs 2,500 crore and an ambitious target to quadruple annual renewable energy sales to 10 GW and expand its assets under management (AUM) to 70 GW by FY31.
