Spain-based Gamesa has reinforced its operations in India, having expanded its local wind turbine nacelle plant in Mamandur. The company says the enhanced facility is part of its program to pump EUR 100 million into its Indian operations through 2018.
According to Gamesa, the new production line will increase the factory's existing annual capacity up to 1.7 GW. It will mainly be used to produce the G114-2.0 MW turbine model, which the company expects to introduce into the Indian market over the course of 2015.
In addition, as it is configured as a multi-model line, it will also be able to make the G97-2.0 MW turbine. Both models are part of Gamesa's 2.0 MW-2.5 MW platform, 500 MW of which have already been installed in India.
During and inauguration ceremony, Gamesa CEO Ignacio Martin said, ‘In order to defend this position and reinforce our commitment to development of the country's wind energy sector, over the next five years, we plan to invest around EUR 100 million in strengthening our manufacturing capabilities especially for the launch of new products like G114-2.0 MW, further developing our local supply chain and increasing our wind farm development pipeline, a strong competitive advantage in India."
The company's Indian nacelle factory began to operate in July 2013. Since then, 900 MW of Gamesa's 850 KW and G97-2.0 MW turbines have been assembled at the facility. In addition to the nacelle plant, the company's Indian operations include a blade plant in Halol and a repair center in Red Hills, Chennai.
Gamesa is present in India as both a technology provider and a wind farm developer. Since it entered the market, the company says it has installed over 1.44 GW and manages more than 1.15 GW under operations and maintenance agreements in the country. Furthermore, the company notes, India accounted for 27% of the group's total sales in the third quarter of this year.
