Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa has inaugurated a new wind blade manufacturing facility in the Nellore region, located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Construction of this manufacturing facility, one of the company's largest in India, is framed by Gamesa's growth plans, which contemplate capex of more than €100m through 2017 to reinforce its manufacturing presence in this market.
The inauguration ceremony was presided by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Gamesa India CEO Ramesh Kymal, Games chief corporate and general secretary José Antonio Cortajarena, Gamesa industrial managing director Iñaki Murgiondo and Gamesa commercial managing director Enrique Pedrosa among other executives, attended on behalf of Gamesa.
Phase one of this new facility, already up and running, is earmarked for the manufacture of the blades for the G114-2.0 MW class S turbines, a product custom-configured for India's wind conditions.
Phase two, due to come online in the middle of this year, will increase blade production capacity as well as enabling the production of generators and photovoltaic inverters.
The factory currently employs 500 people and its headcount is expected to rise to 1,000 within three years.
Ramesh Kymal said: "Inauguration of this factory fortifies Gamesa's industrial presence in India, a country in which we have cemented our position as the leading OEM, which has made it one of the company's most important markets.
We are certain that this new facility will generate wealth via job creation and purchases from local suppliers."
Meanwhile, José Antonio Cortajarena, said: "this new milestone evidences our firm commitment to promoting clean sources of energy in India and addressing the population's energy needs in a sustainable manner."