‘Cheaper imports ebb as new rules boost company’s position’: Q&A with Suzlon CEO

"Those importing cheaper equipment, mainly from China, will now have to buy from domestic manufacturers or produce in India. The advantage of cheaper imports will go away, putting everyone on a level playing field. That benefits us, because competition from low-cost imports disappears," he told FE.

Written by Raghavendra Kamath

December 4, 2025 21:09 IST

"We are currently at 53 GW. Over the next 4.5 years, we need to add 47 GW—roughly 10 GW a year. This year, we will add about 6–6.5 GW," he told FE.

Suzlon Energy is looking to set up smart factories to accelerate execution and improve logistics efficiency. In an interview, group CEO JP Chalasani speaks to Raghavendra Kamath about the company’s operations and its outlook for the wind energy sector.

Suzlon commissioned 153 MW in Q2 FY26 versus 130 MW in Q2 FY25. Earlier, Suzlon guided for 1,500 MW of commissioning in FY26. Will you be able to meet that target?

I said that if the country adds 6GW, we can do 25% of that. Yes, we are on track.

Last quarter, analysts said rising competition from solar-plus-BESS (battery energy storage systems) could challenge Suzlon, and that annual additions may plateau at 3–3.5 GW after FY27. What’s your view?

First of all, round-the-clock power is the need of the hour. RTC power can be met through wind plus solar plus storage, or solar plus storage. We’ve analysed the tariff under both scenarios. Solar plus wind plus BESS is, in any case, cheaper by about ₹1 per kWh compared with solar plus BESS. Solar plus BESS can meet short-term evening peaks but not RTC power.

Suzlons’ order outlook for FY 2026

What’s your order outlook for FY26?

Every quarter, our closing order book is higher than our opening order book. Orders are not an issue for us.

Do you think the country can meet its 100 GW target by FY30, which requires 10 GW a year?

We are currently at 53 GW. Over the next 4.5 years, we need to add 47 GW—roughly 10 GW a year. This year, we will add about 6–6.5 GW. Next year, it should reach 8–9 GW. From FY28 onwards, we expect additions to cross 10 GW. We are reasonably confident of meeting the 100 GW target.

How has Renom performed after the acquisition?

We have said earlier that the benefits will accrue after FY28, when our EPC book rises to 50% from about 20% now.

Chalasani on new policies

You said earlier that new policies like ALMM and RLMM will help manufacturers such as Suzlon. Can you elaborate?

We already source all components domestically — towers, generators, blades, gearboxes. With ALMM coming in, procurement must be from manufacturers listed under ALMM, because the government clearly wants domestic manufacturing. Domestic manufacturers will be listed.

Those importing cheaper equipment, mainly from China, will now have to buy from domestic manufacturers or produce in India. The advantage of cheaper imports will go away, putting everyone on a level playing field. That benefits us, because competition from low-cost imports disappears.

Second, if everyone manufactures in India, we believe we’re more efficient than others because we have an established ecosystem. That makes us more competitive. Overall, it’s good for us and for the country.

This article was first uploaded on December four, twenty twenty-five, at nine minutes past nine in the night.