American Superconductor licenses wind turbine technology to GIIPL in India 
According to a report issued in February 2008 by the Global Wind Energy Council, India now ranks fourth in the world in terms of total wind power capacity. Capacity in the country grew by 28 percent in 2007 to 8 gigawatts (GW). According to the India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the country has 60 GW of wind power potential.
American Superconductor Corporation has announced that it has licensed its proprietary Windtec WT1650 wind turbine design and manufacturing know-how exclusively to Ghodawat Industries (India) Pvt. Ltd. (GIIPL) for certain countries in the Middle East, Southern Asia and Africa. GIIPL is the flagship company of Sanjay Ghodawat Group, located in Maharashtra, India.
GIIPL has been manufacturing wind turbine towers in itsfacility since 2004 for customers such as Suzlon, Vestas and Enercon. GIIPL also owns and operates wind farms across four states in India. The company will utilize AMSC’s proprietary design, technology and core electrical components to begin manufacturing complete wind turbines for use in India and for export to countries in the Middle East, Southern Asia and Africa. AMSC Windtec will provide training for GIIPL’s staff and project management services for the company’s first prototype units. GIIPL plans to begin manufacturing 1.65 MW turbines in 2009.
In addition to a multi-million dollar upfront license fee, AMSC will receive a royalty payment for the first 550 WT1650 wind turbines manufactured by GIIPL. AMSC also has a right of first refusal to provide the full electrical systems and core electrical components for all of the wind turbines manufactured by GIIPL.
“Having been a key component supplier to the wind energy industry in India and an owner and operator of large wind farms for almost a decade, GIIPL is well suited to become one of India’s leading turbine manufacturers,” said Shrenik Ghodawat, Managing Director of GIIPL. “AMSC Windtec is providing us with proven technology and the know-how we need, which will help us to rapidly address the tremendous growth opportunities for the wind energy industry in India and surrounding regions.”
“This license agreement with GIIPL represents our entry point for the market in India, not only for the wind industry, but also for the power grid sector,” said Greg Yurek, AMSC founder and chief executive officer, “GIIPL has the experience and knowledge base to rapidly expand its business in the fast growing Indian wind market. And as this penetration begins, we also expect to generate traction in India’s power grid market, which will be going through a major expansion over the next two decades. Our power grid products that help transmit large quantities of electricity safely and reliably from wind farms and other sources of power generation to customers are an ideal fit for the Indian market.”
Related categories: Eco-friendly Power generation Wind power
