The Hindu Business Line : GE plans setting up wind power equipment facility

Talking about the company’s interest in the ports and airports sectors, Mr Chopra said that while no tie-ups have been firmed up for the proposed ventures, the company could look out for partners.

Anil Sasi

New Delhi, Dec. 13 GE India is planning a greenfield facility for manufacturing wind turbines and equipment. The company would also focus on upcoming opportunities to invest in airports, both non-metro upgradation projects and greenfield ones, and upcoming port development projects as it expands its focus on the country’s infrastructure sectors.

Speaking to Business Line, GE India’s new President and CEO, Mr Tejpreet S. Chopra, said the company is still to finalise the location of the proposed wind power equipment facility.

“Our windmills are among the most efficient in generating power… We are very bullish on the renewables sector and are keenly looking at this segment,” he said.

Talking about the company’s interest in the ports and airports sectors, Mr Chopra said that while no tie-ups have been firmed up for the proposed ventures, the company could look out for partners.

“We have invested in ports around the world… We are looking at a lot of projects in India… We haven’t closed anything but the whole game is just starting,” he said in an interview.

Referring to the company’s plans to enter the airport sector, Mr Chopra said, “It’s a huge focus area… We have the ability to help develop not only commercial airports but also cargo airports and now have a team that helps develop low-cost airports… Not only to provide the money but also to provide the expertise to develop these airports.” He also said that GE was bullish on its investments in locomotive manufacturing.

Customer solutions

Mr Chopra said GE could look to strike partnerships in India to leverage capabilities to provide customer solutions, on the lines of a recent pact inked with Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd for manufacturing compressors for the oil and gas industry in the country.

GE, the world’s second-largest company by market value, makes everything from light bulbs and diagnostic imaging systems to aircraft engines and nuclear power plants. GE India is eyeing an over 50 per cent jump in its turnover to $3 billion by the year-end. Going forward, the company expects to clock $8 billion in revenues by 2010, driven by growth in sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare and financial services, Mr Chopra said.

GE had earlier set a target of notching up a turnover of $5 billion in India by 2010, which was subsequently scaled up to $8 billion. “Our key drivers are infrastructure, which includes energy, oil and gas, railways, aviation and water; healthcare and financial services,” he added.

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