BHEL achieves breakthrough in East Africa with Maiden Entry in Rwanda

Engineering major Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved one more breakthrough in international business by winning a turnkey contract for setting up a Hydro Power Project in Rwanda.

Significantly, this order for setting up the Nyaborongo Hydro Electric Power Project (2x14 MW) is the first order received by BHEL from this East-African country. The company has already established its presence in a number of African nations like Sudan, Libya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, etc.

This success in the East-African region comes close on the heels of a string of recent successes in BHEL's overseas business including maiden entries in the Syrian and Vietnamese power sectors.

Valued at over Rs.4,000 Million, the order has been placed on a BHEL-led consortium, by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Government of the Republic of Rwanda.

Funded by the Government of India's Line of Credit to the Government of Rwanda, the contract envisages turnkey execution of the Hydro-mechanical and Electro-mechanical packages for the Nyaborongo Hydro Power Project comprising two Francis type hydro generating units of 14 MW each. Major equipment to be supplied for the project includes hydro turbines, generators, transformers, controls, monitoring and protection system and switchgear.

BHEL has established its footprints in all the six continents of the world - spanning 70 countries and its technical competence has earned worldwide acclaim. Significantly, the company has so far commissioned more than 40 hydro sets corresponding to over 2,500 MW outside India, in various countries including Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Azerbaijan and Bhutan. Presently, BHEL is executing hydro electric projects totaling over 300 MW in Taiwan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Tajikistan and Vietnam, while three hydro sets are under installation in Afghanistan.

Further stimulation in the growth of BHEL's international business will be achieved through consolidation in existing markets, widening the export base through expansion of its existing basket of products and services, and by entering new markets, with EPC business being the key driver of its exponential growth plans. Riding High on its dominant domestic market position, BHEL is taking long strides to become a major global player by enhancing its presence in international markets. It has identified overseas business as one of its thrust areas as part of its Strategic Plan 2012. The company is targeting a six-fold increase in its physical exports by 2012.