Suzlon to start operations in Canada in 2010

20 April 2009

Suzlon Energy, the world's fifth-largest supplier of wind turbines, is planning to start operations in Canada in 2010, its founder-chairmanTulsi Tanti said.

Tanti, who was honoured for his pioneering work in promoting non-conventional sources of energy globally, said the Ontario government's proposed Green Energy Act would offer a "very strong" support to clean energy initiatives in the North American region.

Tanti, the founder of Pune-based Suzlon Energy, received the CIF Chanchlani Global India award 2009, instituted by Canada India Foundation, from Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the planning commission.

Suzlon, through its majority-owned Germany-based subsidiary REpower AG has secured contracts for developing wind-power projects in Canada and Tanti said he expects his company to start operations in the Canadian market by 2010.

Suzlon will be setting up a manufacturing base close to the project location considering the huge cost of transportation, Tanti said, adding, much will depend on the availability of three key inputs.

"First, the skilled manpower, second, the logistical costs and, third, the government tax support." He said that Ontario with its skilled manufacturing base, water and lakes, access to the US market and supportive legislation and policies offered the right mix for Suzlon," he said.