BHEL bags contracts for two Projects in Afghanistan.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limitd (BHEL) has recently secured two prestigious contracts in Afghanistan as part of the company’s aggressive plans for increasing business in South Asia. This also marks BHEL’s foray in Afghanistan, which is a potential market.

The two turnkey contracts, cumulatively worth Rs.2,200 Million, have been secured by BHEL from Power Grid Corporation of India for setting up a 220 kV substation at Kabul and from Water & Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS), India for supply and installation of Electromechanical Packages for 42 MW Salma Hydroelectric Power Plant in Afghanistan.

BHEL’s scope of work in the substation project includes design, manufacture, supply, erection, commissioning besides civil works for the 220 kV substation at Kabul. BHEL will also execute the same scope of work for 3x14 MW Francis type hydro turbines with matching generators and microprocessor based Control & Excitation equipment for the Salma Hydro Project.

The main equipment for both these projects shall be supplied by BHEL’s manufacturing units at Bhopal, Jhansi and Bangalore. The company's Power Sector – Northern Region will execute these projects.

BHEL is one of the largest exporters of engineering products & services from India. Over the years, BHEL has established its footprints in all the six inhabited continents of the world - spanning over 65 countries - from the United States in the West to New Zealand in the Far East.

The company has identified overseas business as a major thrust area. During the last financial year (2005-06), BHEL booked the highest-ever physical export orders of Rs.33,480 Million - a six fold increase over the previous year. For the first time, export orders contributed 18% to the company’s total order booking during 2005-06.