REpower Systems AG inaugurates new technology center on the Kiel Canal

REpower Systems AG (WKN 617703) – in which Suzlon Energy Limited is a majority shareholder with over 90 per cent holding – officially inaugurated a new technology center at Osterrönfeld, in the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district, Germany, on the 25th of August at the hands of the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, Minister President Carstensen and the REpower Executive Board.

The new centre will bring together around 470 employees, from the fields of Research and Development, as well as Technical Support and Services, earlier spread across offices in Rendsburg, Büdelsdorf and Husum.

In his greeting, Mr. Matthias Schubert, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of REpower Systems AG stressed the importance of research and development activities for the company: "With innovative products and technologies, REpower is set to take lead in the wind energy sector. We believe that correct location and the ideal environment is as important as the talented individuals behind our systems to promote developmental activities – we’ve found both, here in Osterrönfeld."

Mr. Tulsi R Tanti, Chairman of the REpower supervisory board said: “REpower is known for its technological excellence in wind energy, and this facility is a major step forward in building on this leadership. I am certain that this facility will play a key role in building our capabilities, products and service offerings.”

The global REpower fleet of more than 2,500 wind turbines is remotely monitored 24 hours a day via the control center of the Permanent Monitoring System (PMS) department, located on the ground floor of the technology center.

The research and technology center is built by Max Bögl Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG on an area of 11,700 square meters. In addition to research activities and development of the REpower wind turbines and products, the worldwide service and maintenance of onshore and offshore wind turbines will be organized from the centre.

REpower Systems AG, a Suzlon group company, is one of the leading manufacturers of onshore and offshore wind turbines. The international mechanical engineering company develops, produces and markets wind turbines with rated outputs of 2.05 MW to 6.15 MW and rotor diameters of 82 meters to 126 meters for almost any location.

The company also offers a comprehensive portfolio of service and maintenance packages for wind farm. The profitable and reliable systems are designed at the REpower TechCenter in Osterrönfeld and manufactured at its plants in Husum (North Friesland), Trampe (Brandenburg) and Bremerhaven as well as Portugal and China.

With about 2,000 employees worldwide, the company, which has been listed since March 2002 and is headquartered in Hamburg, can make use of the experience gained from the manufacture and installation of over 2,000 wind turbines around the world. REpower is represented by distribution partners, subsidiaries and participations in European markets such as France, Belgium, the UK, Italy, Portugal and Spain as well as on a global level in the USA, Japan, China, Australia and Canada.

Suzlon and REpower, if taken together, stand as the world’s third leading wind turbines supplier group in terms of market share. Market share of 9.8 per cent is derived from BTM Consult ApS World Market Update 2009 (March 2010), ranking Suzlon with 6.4 per cent of global market share and REpower with 3.4 per cent of global market share.

Suzlon ranked as the world’s third* leading wind turbine supplier in terms of market share in 2009. Suzlon has its corporate offices in Pune, India and company’s global spread reflects in its projects and markets portfolio – extending across Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. Suzlon is a highly vertically integrated wind turbine manufacturer with manufacturing capability along the full value chain – from components to complete wind turbine systems.

www.suzlon.com