Leitner Shriram Manufacturing Ltd a joint venture between Shriram EPC and Italy based Leitner Technologies inaugurated its INR 200 crore facility at Gummidippondi near Chennai.

Spread across 20 acres, the facility would have a manufacturing capacity of 150 wind turbines per annum in Phase I. The plant was inaugurated by Union minister of state for power Mr Bharatsinh Solanki.

Mr T Shivaraman MD & CEO of Shriram EPC a group company of Chennai based INR 30,000 crore Shriram Group said that the facility would cater to both domestic and export markets.

Mr P Ashok MD of Leitner Shriram said that construction work on Phase II would start after six months to double the capacity. Apart from producing wind turbines in India, the company would also use India as a sourcing hub for windmill components. While Leitner will bring technology know how, Shriram would provide engineering expertise.

Mr Michael Seeber president of Leitner Technologies said apart from catering to the US and European markets, the company would cater to Egypt, Morocco and Africa. He added that one turbine could be translated into four million KW hours a year and it could cater to 1,000 families. The unit employs 300 people and is expected to provide indirect employment for about 1,000 people.

According to estimates, India has the potential to generate 45,000 MW of wind power. Since, these wind farms are set up in rural areas, it generates opportunities for employment in the form of electrical, civil and mechanical engineers and technicians. The total capacity installed in India stood at 10,134 MW as of March 31st 2009.

(Sourced from Business Standards)