New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) In what implies a Rs.1 billion ($25 million) hit on its balance sheet for the current quarter, leading wind power equipment-maker Suzlon Energy will refit wind turbine blades for a project in the US, the company said Monday. “The company will do a retrofit programme to resolve blade-cracking issues discovered during the operations of some of its S88 turbines in the US,” the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange Monday.

“We have a close working relationship with our customers, and this programme is a proactive measure to safeguard the interest of stakeholders. The retrofit programme is designed to minimise impact for our customers and Suzlon,” said Andre Horbach, chief executive officer of Suzlon Group.

“The total estimated cost of the retrofit programme is estimated at Rs.1 billion, for which a provision will be made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008-08.

“The programme involves the structural strengthening of 1,251 blades on turbines. Of these, 930 blades are already installed while the remaining are in transit or inventory,” Suzlon said.

“The retrofit programme will be carried out by maintaining a rolling stock of temporary replacement blades to minimise the downtime for operational turbines, and will be completed over a period of six months,” the wind power equipment manufacturer said.

“The programme will utilize Suzlon’s strong global technical capabilities and its blade manufacturing and service facility in Pipestone, Minnesota, for the US blades.”