Suzlon Energy plans to build three AI-enabled smart factories as it looks to speed execution of its 6.2 gigawatt order book and streamline logistics, group Chief Executive Officer JP Chalasani said.
Two of the plants are planned in Karnataka and Gujarat, with a third site to be finalised soon, added. Suzlon will also upgrade all 15 of its existing factories with similar digital systems. The company typically invests ₹500 crore to ₹550 crore in capex across its plants annually, Chalasani said, declining to provide site-specific figures.
“Investing in three smart factories that will be new age and digital first. AI enabled smart factories integrated with automation and digital work flows ,” the company said in a presentation.
Job Generation
Suzlon’s new factories are expected to generate 3,000 direct and 12,000 indirect jobs, with roughly 80% in rural areas. The company recently expanded its yearly manufacturing capacity from 3 GW to 4.5 GW, adding 1 GW through upgrades at Ratlam and Jaisalmer.
Chalasani on manufacturing capacity
“Obviously, the manufacturing capacity will be more than 4.5 gigawatts than what we have today. But the two things it will do:, it will enable us to serve our customers much faster, because logistics will improve.And when you are able to serve much faster, how much capacity we serve in a year will increase,” Chalasani said.
He added that the current facilities, even after upgrades, may reach saturation, making new factories essential for upcoming turbine models.
“So therefore, if we create this infrastructure — like the factory sheds, the entire logistics infrastructure — today, then tomorrow as and when the new model comes in, you can quickly expand, create the manufacturing capacity in these plants,” he said.
