As part of its holistic manufacturing capacity expansion and modernisation programme, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has set up a new state-of-the-art Core and Tank Shop at its Transformer Manufacturing Facility at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. With this new shop, the manufacturing capacity for transformers at BHEL’s Jhansi unit has been enhanced from 8,500 MVA to 15,000 MVA per annum.
The unit was dedicated to the nation today by Sh. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Hon’ble Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises in the presence of Sh. Arun Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises and Sh. Pradeep Jain Aditya, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Rural Development. Mr. B.S. Meena, Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry and Sh. B.P. Rao, CMD, BHEL, were also present on the occasion, in addition to the Board of Directors and other senior officials of BHEL.
Saluting the foresight of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the visionary of modern India, for sowing the seeds of this organisation, Sh. Vilasrao Deshmukh expressed his happiness at BHEL’s progress in preparing itself to meet future challenges in the power sector by gearing up for new technologies and building capacities. He said that these steps would enable BHEL to cater to the requirements of power stations with advanced technology that are expected to come up during the 12th five year plan period and beyond. The company has enhanced its power equipment manufacturing capacity to 15,000 MW per annum and is progressing well to further augment it to 20,000 MW by 2012 in line with the requirements of the nation, he added.
“Considering the much needed development of this region, I have been impressing upon CMD, BHEL for investment in the Jhansi unit. I am pleased to announce today that CMD, BHEL has assured me that an investment of about Rs.1500 Million will be given to the Jhansi unit within the next 2 years to enhance the locomotive manufacturing capacity to take it to over 100 locos per year. This investment, in addition to bringing prosperity and employment opportunities in this region, will also help BHEL in meeting the upcoming huge requirement including higher capacity next generation state-of-the-art technology of locomotives for Indian Railways”, said Sh. Deshmukh. The Minister also flagged-off the 26th Locomotive of 5,000 HP rating, against an order from Indian railways for 50 such locos.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr. B.P. Rao, CMD, BHEL said that the country’s target of adding 78,700 MW of generation capacity in the 11th Plan and around 1,00,000 MW in the 12th Plan calls for large scale evacuation of power and efficient transmission over long distances. We are gearing ourselves for these emerging business opportunities in transmission and distribution. This new facility has been established with this intent. This will not only increase our manufacturing capacity but also give us an opportunity to position ourselves as the leading player in the segment, he said.
Sh. Arun Yadav said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister has made his resolve clear by declaring his commitment to energy independence through fast track growth in the power sector. Supply of higher rating power generation and transmission equipment is the need of hour. It is not only a challenge but also a big business opportunity for BHEL. I am sure this new transformer shop will certainly help BHEL to cater to the emerging market needs and capitalise on growth opportunities.
In his address, Sh. Pradeep Jain Aditya said that this factory is the polestar of the industrial landscape of the Bundelkhand region. It has immensely contributed in the progress of our state and the country. This new facility is all about crossing another milestone in BHEL’s journey to become a world class engineering enterprise as also about enhancing the engineering and technology capability in the country.
Over the past five decades, BHEL has powered the Indian Transmission Sector by supplying the entire range of Power Transformers and Shunt Reactors required by the sector. The company has pioneered and played a stellar role in the evolution of Ultra High Voltage (UHV) technology in the country. It is expected that Supercritical Thermal Power Plants of 800 MW and Nuclear Power Plants of 700 MW and above will boost the demand for Transformers manifold in the near future. To equip itself for this anticipated surge in demand for transformers at nearly 1,20,000 MVA per year, BHEL has taken several steps including setting up a new UHV transformer block at its Bhopal plant, in addition to the new facility at Jhansi. With this, the total installed transformer manufacturing capacity of BHEL including its Bhopal and Jhansi plants will go up to a phenomenal 45,000 MVA.
No comments:
Post a Comment