Suzlon Group inaugurated its latest state-of-the-art, aerodynamic technology blade manufacturing facility in the city of Badnawar, in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Suzlon’s 19-acre manufacturing facility will construct blades for the S111 2.1-MW wind turbine, which is designed to make low-wind sites viable and decrease energy costs. The 19-acre facility will manufacture rotor blades for the S111 2.1-MW turbine and has an expected annual production capacity of 400 MW. The latest in its 2.1 MW fleet, the S111 has a blade length of 54.8 meters, making it one of the largest rotor diameter WTGs in India. The S111 is designed to enhance wind generation at low wind sites and reduce the cost of energy. The facility at Badnawar is Suzlon’s 14th manufacturing facility in India. It was brought into operation in less than one year. The facility is also the first one of Suzlon’s to employ 20 local female engineers in manufacturing who were provided with nine months of training at the Suzlon Quality Academy. The inauguration was done by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. “Climate change is the biggest threat to mankind,” said Hon’ble Chief Minister, State of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the inauguration. “I congratulate Suzlon for truly contributing to make in India and exporting wind turbines to other countries. I also congratulate Suzlon for giving direct employment to 450 youth and I am confident that initiatives such as these will further create job opportunities in Madhya Pradesh.” The existing blade manufacturing units of Suzlon are located in Bhuj (Gujarat), Dhule (Maharashtra), Padubidri (Karnataka), Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu), Daman, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh). With this rotor blade unit in Ratlam- Madhya Pradesh, Suzlon has increased its global manufacturing footprint to 15 facilities, spread across India and China (JV). Tulsi Tanti, Chairman, Suzlon Group said: “Our vision is aligned to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and target of 250 GW renewable energy by 2030. Our new blade manufacturing facility is a testament of our commitment to make India the renewable energy technology hub of the world. India has the potential and capability to lead the global transition to renewable energy sources and Suzlon is committed to harness this potential. Tanti added: “Our decision to providing training and employment to 20 women engineers from MP is in line with the Beti Bachao Abhiyan of the Madhya Pradesh Government. We hope that this move will further their efforts in empowering women.” The Suzlon Group has been present in Madhya Pradesh since 2004, with major wind parks at Dewas, Ratlam and Mahuria. Over the past 12 years, Suzlon has held ~30% of the renewable energy market share of the state and has provided direct employment to over 100 people. Suzlon’s blade manufacturing facility in Badnawar is also aligned to the group’s commitment to increase renewable energy projects in the state. The new rotor blade manufacturing unit in Badnawar has generated over 480 direct jobs and ~50 indirect jobs, giving a boost to the development of Madhya Pradesh.