Suzlon to add over 700 MW wind energy in US this year

Suzlon Wind Energy, the North American subsidiary of India's Suzlon Energy Ltd, on Friday said it plans to generate 728 MW of clean power in the United States in 2010 through nine wind farms.

The company will install 351 new turbines for the nine wind energy projects to be implemented this year, which will produce clean power for 220,000 homes in seven states.

These projects will also create over 50 long-term wind turbine maintenance-related jobs in rural areas.

"Our construction and service teams are working fervently to install the turbines and get them online so they can begin generating clean power and provide a strong return for our customers' investments, as well as tax revenues for local communities," city-headquartered Suzlon Wind Energy CEO Andris Cukurs said in a statement here.

The nine Suzlon projects are located in seven states of Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington.

During the construction and commissioning of the nine wind farms, Suzlon estimates that its employees will contribute $1.5 million to the local economies where they will live and work.

At present, Suzlon has more than 1,750 MW of wind turbine capacity installed in the US and expects to have 2,480 MW by the end of the year.

Suzlon Energy is the world's third-largest wind turbine maker with a global market share of 12.3 per cent.