Suzlon hopes to get new wind projects of 300-500 MW in FY15

Major markets for new projects in India are states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Seemandhara and Gujarat: Company

Suzlon Energy, world's 5th largest wind turbine maker, hopes to get orders for 300-500 MW this fiscal following changes in renewable energy policies in states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, a senior company official said.

"The major markets for new projects in India are states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Seemandhara and Gujarat," he said. "We are well positioned to convert these opportunities into sales and implementation."

India already has the 5th largest wind generation capacity in the world, just above 20,000 MW.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently announced plans to launch a National Wind Energy Mission.

The Mission will operate on a model that will be different from National Solar Mission. Rather than inviting bidding for projects, MNRE will play the role of a 'facilitator' to strengthen grid infrastructure for wind power, identify high wind power potential zones, clear hurdles for land issues, and regulate wind power tariffs.

Measures such as accelerated depreciation and a generation based incentive, which were curtailed in 2012, are expected to be reintroduced under the NWEM.

Suzlon has regained the number one position in India with installations of 403 MW in the last fiscal. Suzlon was followed by Gamesa at number two and Wind World (India) at number three positions with installations of 396 MW and 354 MW respectively.

"There are signs of recovery in Indian wind industry with installations of 2,077 MW in 2013-14, up 21% over 2012-13. Maharashtra was the biggest contributor in installation numbers with more than 50% market share in 2013-14," said a renewable energy expert.

The growth momentum is expected to strengthen in the current financial year as approximately 2,500 MW of new wind power projects are likely to come up for installation in the country.

Industry estimates see Indian wind power market growing at an average rate of 25% till 2016-17.

Rajasthan has changed its policy from competitive bidding to feed-in tariff and this move is expected to facilitate installation of over 500 MW capacity this year, an industry analyst said.

"Players who have already invested in wind power infrastructure like Suzlon would be able to get good share of this capacity in Rajasthan," an analyst said. "Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, with projected installations of more than 400 MW this year, early entrant in state like Suzlon is expected to play a key role."

Of the 20,097 MW wind power generation capacity in the country, Suzlon's contribution was at 8,010 MW as on December 31, 2013.