Wind energy major Suzlon Group has unveiled a significant expansion plan to construct three new blade manufacturing facilities and upgrade its existing factory floors. This strategic move is aimed at catering to its robust 6.2 GW order book and anticipated future growth in demand for renewable power in India.
New Facilities and Strategic Locations
The company confirmed that two of the new blade manufacturing plants will be established in the states of Karnataka and Gujarat. The location for the third planned facility is still under finalisation. JP Chalasani, Chief Executive Officer of the Suzlon Group, explained that situating these factories closer to active wind project sites will significantly enhance logistical efficiency and reduce costs.
Suzlon's current cumulative manufacturing capacity stands at 4.5 GW, following a recent 50% expansion from 3 GW. This included an addition of 1 GW capacity at its facilities in Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) during the 2024 fiscal year. While Chalasani did not disclose the specific capacity addition or capital expenditure (capex) for the new projects, he indicated the company expects to maintain an annual capex of around Rs 550 crore until 2030, with the final outlay dependent on the demand scenario.
Drivers of Demand and Technological Modernisation
The executive highlighted that commercial and industrial (C&I) customers remain the primary force behind the growing demand for wind power. Large energy-intensive industries, including steel, cement, and refineries, are actively transitioning to green energy sources. Looking ahead, Chalasani anticipates strong future demand from emerging sectors like energy-hungry artificial intelligence data centres and the green hydrogen production ecosystem.
To boost efficiency and quality, Suzlon plans a comprehensive modernisation of its existing 15 manufacturing facilities. These units are spread across India in Jaisalmer, Ratlam, Puducherry, Anantapur, Coimbatore, Vadodara, and Daman. The upgrade will involve deploying advanced technologies such as:
- Computer vision systems for automated defect detection.
- Robotic crawlers for inspections and operations.
- AI-based decision support systems and advanced analytics.
- Digitally unified operations for seamless workflow.
The company also aims to enhance tracking, inventory management, and reduce digital cycle times, particularly for blades. The overarching goal of this digital transformation is to cut project execution time and increase profitability across key business segments.
Market Context and Financial Snapshot
This expansion plan comes at a time when India is aggressively pushing for renewable energy capacity addition. Suzlon's move to scale up its manufacturing muscle directly aligns with national goals and positions it to capture a larger market share. In Thursday's trade, following the announcement, Suzlon's stock price closed at Rs 50.90, marking a decline of 3.21% on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The company's strategy underscores a firm belief in the sustained growth of the wind energy sector, driven by corporate sustainability commitments, cost competitiveness, and supportive government policies. By investing in both new capacity and cutting-edge technology, Suzlon is fortifying its position as a leading domestic player ready to power India's green energy transition.
