Suzlon Energy, the Indian wind power company, has announced that it plans to start operations in South Africa as well as expand its presence in South America.

"We will expand our operations to 3-4 countries... In South Africa and South America... We have just started in Brazil. We are looking at Canada as another potential country," said Suzlon Energy CMD Tulsi Tanti told the Press Trust of India.

Assuaging fears about finding finance to fund such moves given the present climate, Suzlon, which already has manufacturing bases in India, China and the USA, said it does not require additional capital expenditure until December 2010.

Tulsi Tanti added that the group’s current focus is on operational efficiency and consolidating the business.