Suzlon refutes reports of supplying faulty blades to China

16 April 2009

Wind power major Suzlon Energy Ltd has refuted media reports of supplying faulty blades for an REPower project in China's Shandong province.

Suzlon, in fact, denied that it had supplied any blades to REpower, saying it had yet to commence commercial production of those particular blades.

The Wall Street Journal had reported, citing sources ''Suzlon Energy Ltd of India, one of the world's biggest makers of wind turbines, is facing new problems over faulty blades for a project in China's Shandong province.

Suzlon responded to the report saying. ''Those blades are still in the prototype phase of the manufacturing process, which includes rigorous testing of the blades' ability to perform reliably and safely. Suzlon will only commence serial manufacturing and delivery of blades after it completes this prototype phase and can guarantee the quality of the product.,'' it said, adding, ''The company is working vigorously to complete this process and commence full-scale production.''

Suzlon has contracted to supply blades for 75 turbines in a project being managed by Germany's REPower Systems AG, with an option for 75 more; REPower rejected the prototype and ordered the equipment from elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal said.

''Suzlon owns 74 per cent of REPower although it has to manage it at arm's length because of German laws protecting minority investors; REPower lost 6 million euros ($7.9 million) because of the problems with the first batch and Suzlon said it was "working vigorously" on testing the latest blades,'' the WSJ reported.