The Hindu Business Line : German cos scout for offshore renewable energy projects here

Chennai, April 30 E.ON Energy Ltd and Baard Energy from Niedersachsen State in Germany are exploring possibilities to set up offshore renewable energy projects in India, the Minister for Economics, Labour and Transport of Niedersachsen, Germany, Mr Phillipp Rosler, has said.

At a meeting organised by Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Mr Rosler, said the Niedersachsen has a strong foothold in offshore renewable energy projects — like solar and wind power — due to its long coastline.

Niedersachsen has garnered expertise in offshore energy and would help India, which also has a long coast, in leveraging inherent potential.

Major player

“India is a major player in the global market now and it is in our high priority list of our foreign trade policy,” he said.

The bilateral trade between India and Niedersachsen State in 2008 was €900 million, grew by 22 per cent over previous year.

He was not sure of the growth pattern this year due to recession in Europe and the US.

However, he said a lot of companies from Niedersachsen in construction, auto components and textiles segments are exploring options to enter India.

Paving the way

Already automobile manufacturer Volkswagen and steel manufacturer Salzgitter, originating from Niedersachsen are present in India paving the way for other companies.

Niedersachsen State holds about 20 per cent stake in Volkswagen.

The hatchback car Polo to be manufactured by Volkswagen’s recently inaugurated Pune plant will be the forth generation product and is designed specifically for India.

Simultaneously, the Volkswagen plant in Germany will roll out the same model customised to local applications.

This initiative will give Indian suppliers of Polo the opportunity to extend their business to Germany also, he said.

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