17 May 2005 - In another example of captive wind power growth in India, a producer of bar steel and steel products and components has turned to the renewable energy to power its factories.

Surana Industries of Chennai has contracted GE Energy to supply eight of its 1.5 MW wind turbines for a 12 MW wind farm to be located in the village of Radhapuram in the state of Tamilnadu, South India.

The project is scheduled for commissioning in July of 2005 and is expected to generate approximately 36 million kWh of electricity per year.

India currently ranks fifth in the world and first in Asia with approximately 3000 MW of installed wind capacity. The interest of private investors and developers in setting up commercial wind projects, combined with federal and state renewable energy initiatives, have been key factors in driving the growth of the country's wind industry.

"India offers very exciting opportunities for the wind industry," said Robert Gleitz, general manager of GE Energy's wind power business. "With an untapped wind power potential estimated at 45 000 MW, and strong interest in adding renewable energy capacity, the country can be a cornerstone for wind energy development across Asia."

Reflecting the worldwide growth in wind energy, GE Energy has anticipated that its revenue from wind turbines in 2005 will show a 300 per cent increase over the company's first year of wind operations, in 2002.