DANIDA grant for test centre

The Danish government has approved a grant of DKK 15.9 million towards the foundation of a wind turbine testing centre at Kayathar in Tamil Nadu. "The Danida project will in the long term reduce the cost of wind turbine plants and promote the use of wind energy in India in the future," states Denmark's overseas aid organisation. The aim is to create local technical expertise to improve manufacture of wind turbines in India. "The intention is for the organisation to gradually develop from being a project organisation affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to being an independent, nationwide institute operating to international standards," states Danida. The test station will test both wind turbines and blades and issue certificates pertaining to operational reliability, quality, and output of wind turbines.