Hansen Transmissions International NV announced an investment plan of € 170 million for a production plant for gearboxes for wind turbines in the megawatt range in India.

The facility will supply gearboxes to wind turbine manufacturers in the Indian and international markets, including to Suzlon Energy Limited. The greenfield project is planned near Coimbatore and is slated to be operational by the end of 2008. The factory will reach its full production capacity, with an output of 1,500 to 2,000 gearboxes per annum, by early 2010, and employ over 600 personnel. The manufacturing plant will make use of the same production equipment and processes that are conducted in their Belgian plants.