"Chennai's Rajalakshmi Group Takes a Bold Step into Wind Turbine Production"

The renowned Chennai-based Rajalakshmi Group, primarily known for its educational institutions, is making a significant leap into the manufacturing of wind turbines, with the aid of cutting-edge technology from Germany's Vensys.

Under the banner of Rajalakshmi Renewables Pvt Ltd., the company is diligently working towards the launch of a robust 4 MW turbine. This endeavor is being pursued through their subsidiary, Ventus Power. According to Abhay S Meganathanm, Managing Director of Rajalakshmi Renewables, the machines are anticipated to be available for sale by the year 2025.

The forthcoming manufacturing facility is expected to be established in Gummidipoondi, near Chennai. The precise investment details are currently in the works, but the company is contemplating a strategic approach that may involve acquiring components initially, eventually transitioning into full-scale manufacturing.

Vensys, renowned for its permanent magnet, direct-drive technology, will play a pivotal role in this venture. Interestingly, this marks a second collaboration between Vensys and Chennai-based firms, as Regen Powertech had previously produced and sold machines utilizing Vensys technology. Regrettably, Regen Powertech ceased operations in the face of the ultra-low tariff regime triggered by competitive bidding for wind power tariffs.

Notably, Madhusudan Khemka, the founder of Regen Powertech, is actively involved in the Ventus Power project. This initiative represents the third comeback for Khemka, who initially entered the wind industry through NEPC, India's first wind energy company, established by his uncle. After briefly exploring IT and BPO sectors, Khemka returned to the wind industry and established Regen Powertech.

The Indian wind industry is experiencing a revival after a period of stagnation. This resurgence is attributed to the Indian government's commitment to conducting capacity auctions of approximately 10 GW annually for the next five years. The nation is poised to witness wind power capacity additions of around 5 GW in the current year, marking a level of activity not seen since 2017-18. India's current wind power capacity stands at approximately 44 GW, with aspirations to reach 100 GW by 2030.

Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO of ReNew, emphasized that despite having over 15 GW of turbine manufacturing capacity in India, many of these machines are tailored for overseas markets and are not optimized for Indian conditions. Meganathan further pointed out the scarcity of turbines designed for India's low-wind-speed regions, highlighting that Vensys technology has been "tried and tested" to meet the specific needs of the Indian market.

With this strategic move into wind turbine manufacturing, Rajalakshmi Group aims to contribute to India's renewable energy growth and meet the rising demand for sustainable power sources.

HBL