BHEL wins contract for World Bank-funded Project; Once again beats Chinese Companies to make foray in Ethiopia.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a major breakthrough on the export front by making a foray into the Ethiopian market. Outbidding Chinese and other multinational companies, the company has secured its first ever order from Ethiopia for setting up 230 kV substations on EPC basis.

Valued at around Rs.260 Million, the World Bank-funded contract has been placed on BHEL by Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO).

The project is a part of the rural electrification programme initiated by the Ethiopian Government. BHEL’s scope of work in the project includes design, supply, erection, civil construction and commissioning of 230 KV Nefas-Mewucha and Gashena substations, apart from the expansion of Couitebe substation. The substations are to be completed in a schedule of 14 months.

On energisation, these substations will provide electrification to 17 towns in Nefas-Mewucha and 11 towns in Gashena. This project is significant for the ongoing rural electrification activities in Ethiopia. In addition to the 28 towns to be electrified, the project has been particularly designed to support the agro industry and other developmental activities in the area.

Under its power development programme, EEPCO has identified a series of substation and generation projects in the country. BHEL is working towards securing these businesses and associate with EEPCO in their power development programme on a long-term basis, which will benefit the people of Ethiopia in getting uninterrupted power supply.

BHEL has identified overseas business as a major thrust area. The company has achieved significant successes during the current financial year and is poised to achieve a quantum growth in its export business by consolidation in existing markets and widening its export base through expansion of existing basket of products and services and entering new markets.