“Strong faith in a green future”

The beginnings were humble, but my dreams were big.

By Tulsi R. Tanti

What makes an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurs are a league of people who turn obstacles into profitable solutions; they smell opportunities others don’t see and are comfortable with risk-taking and walking where few others have gone. By this definition, I am an entrepreneur, and have been one for as long as I can remember. I started my journey 15 years ago, in the face of an obstacle.

In the 1980s the major setback, for most businesses, was the expensive but unpredictable power supply. The rising cost of electricity, every year, proved to be the greatest barrier to growth. From day one, my business focus was on finding a solution to our energy challenges; I was always trying out different types or combinations of boilers and power generators.

In 1990, I took the road less travelled and invested in two wind turbines to supply electricity to my textile unit. It was the solution I was looking for; I had come across a power supply which was, quite literally, being harnessed out of thin air! After the initial investment was recovered, my spend would only be on low and predictable operating costs. The fuel, so to say, came at no cost. And there was plenty of it.

With time came the realization that wind had the potential to empower more than just struggling industries. I looked at it as the solution to one of the biggest challenges of humanity – secure and environmentally responsible energy. I saw this as a key to the future and decided to make a business out of it.

My belief that at the heart of every challenge is an opportunity led to the creation of Suzlon. The challenge then, was not just making the ‘case for wind’, but making it viable as a sound commercial business prospect.

We became a strategic partner in developing sustainable businesses, creating realistic avenues for businesses to go ‘green’. Today, Suzlon has grown to be the fifth largest wind turbine manufacturer with operations in 32 countries and a family of over 13,000 employees. And when dreams are pursued with conviction, they not only become a reality, but a force that guides you and shapes your life and those of the people around you. I drive my business as a cause, one where we seek to power a greener tomorrow, today.

Tulsi R. Tanti is the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Suzlon Group.

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entrepreneur, suzlon, Tulsi Tanti, turbine, wind