BHEL achieves breakthrough in the Nuclear Power segment; Wins first-ever order for new rating, indigenously-developed 700 MWe Nuclear Sets based on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a major breakthrough in the nuclear power segment with the first-ever order for Steam Turbine Generators for new rating 700 MWe Nuclear Sets, based on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. Significantly, these will be the highest rating indigenously-developed nuclear sets in the country.

Valued at over Rs.16,000 Million, the contract has been placed on the BHEL-Alstom consortium by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for its 2x700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Station (Units 3&4), located near Surat in Gujarat. In value terms, BHEL’s share in the contract is around Rs.8,800 Million.

The BHEL-Alstom consortium will supply the turbine generator packages for the two new 700 MWe units at the power station. BHEL and Alstom shall together manufacture and supply the Steam Turbines while the manufacture and supply of the complete Generator, Moisture Separater Reheater (MSR) and Condenser including complete erection and commissioning of the Turbine Generator package shall be undertaken by BHEL. In addition to the above, NPCIL has also awarded a contract, valued at Rs.400 Million, for supply and installation of Controls and Instrumentation for the Turbine Island Secondary Cycle system for the same project to BHEL.

The project will contribute to India’s plans to increase its nuclear capacity to 20 GW by 2020. With an existing installed capacity of 4,780 MW, nuclear power is currently the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydro and renewable energy. At present, India has 20 nuclear power plants in operation, generating 4,780 MW, with three reactors under construction, expected to generate an additional 2,500 MW.

BHEL designed, manufactured and commissioned equipment accounts for around 69% of NPCIL’s installed capacity of 4,780 MW in the country. The company has so far supplied state-of-the-art power generating equipment of various ratings corresponding to 3,280 MW for various nuclear power plants. NPCIL, as a utility, and BHEL, as an EPC contractor, have worked together on several NPCIL projects.

BHEL is also presently executing several contracts for NPCIL including supply of 8 nos. Steam Generator Packages for one reactor each at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata in Rajastan for 700 MWe Plants. Further, BHEL is executing a prestigious contract for the supply, erection and commissioning of the complete conventional island for the first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) of 500 MW rating, being set up by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.

BHEL has been a major partner in NPCIL’s vision to achieve self-reliance in nuclear energy. Its association with NPCIL began in 1970 with the development of technology and manufacture of prototype channel covers and heavy water headers. Over the years, BHEL has supplied various types of critical equipment on the primary side for several nuclear power projects in India. The development of indigenous vendors has ensured long term support to Nuclear power stations in case of problems and to facilitate easy availability of spares for the life of the plants.

BHEL has been committed to the nation’s power development programme and has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian Power Sector by equipping itself for the future, by way of technology, facilities and trained manpower to meet the country’s power forecast for the 11th Plan and beyond. For this, it has already enhanced its manufacturing capacity to 15,000 MW per annum and is further augmenting it to 20,000 MW per annum by March, 2012.