GE Renewable Energy has bagged its largest-ever EPC order in India from one of the largest independent renewable energy power generation companies in the country.
According to media reports, ReNew Power Limited has placed an order with GE Renewable Energy to implement a 300 megawatt wind energy project in the west Indian state of Gujarat. GE will supply 120 units of its 2.5-132 turbine model for this project.
ReNew Power secured this project in a recent wind energy auction, most likely organized by NTPC Limited — India’s largest power generation company. NTPC Limited auctioned 1.2 gigawatts wind energy capacity in August this year, and ReNew Power was jointly the largest winner with 300 megawatts of capacity. The company secured this capacity at a tariff of Rs 2.81/kWh (3.99¢/kWh), while the lowest winning bid was of Rs 2.77/kWh (3.94¢/kWh).
“GE’s 2.5-132 wind turbine was designed in India specifically for India’s low wind speed conditions, lowering the cost of wind energy compared to similar turbines. We’re excited to bring this wind turbine, as well as other new turbines such as the 2.7, to the India region,” Mahesh Palashikar, Region Leader for GE Renewable Energy’s Onshore Wind business in Asia, was quoted in a press release by GE.
Gujarat is a rich state in terms of wind energy resource availability, and may not particularly require wind turbines suited for low-wind conditions. Yet, ReNew’s choice may indicate its preference for increased generation, and thus, greater financial efficiency.
While GE, in its press release, did not mention anything about its Digital Wind Farm concept, the same may be implemented for this project if either company is indeed concerned about low-wind conditions. According to GE, its Digital Wind Farm solution can ‘can increase energy production by as much as 20%, creating around $100 million in extra revenue over the wind turbine’s life.’
India has so far awarded just over 9.8 gigawatts of onshore wind energy capacity since auctions first started in February 2017. ReNew Power holds the largest share in this awarded capacity, at 1.2 gigawatts.
