BHEL achieves significant breakthrough with first commercial order for India's first indigenously developed Phase Shifting Transformer

Reposing faith in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)’s capability to successfully introduce new technology products, Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) has placed an order on BHEL for the country’s first Phase Shifting Transformer (PST).

Valued at Rs.270 Million, the order entails installation of an indigenously-developed Phase Shifting Transformer, to be installed at APGENCO’s Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (KTPS) Stage-VI.

A Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device, the PST is a combination of a shunt and a series transformer. It shall enable part power diversion from the existing 220 kV switchyard to the 400 kV switchyard, presently under construction at KTPS, thereby helping relieve the 220 kV lines from overloading. Significantly, this is a major development and has opened a new line of business for BHEL.

BHEL’s scope of work in the contract envisages design, manufacture, supply, civil works, erection, and testing & commissioning of the Phase Shifting Transformer in a schedule of 16 months.

BHEL has fully established its capability to undertake new products / systems using technologies developed in-house like Controlled Shunt Reactors, Fixed Series Compensation Schemes in the extra high voltage range for utilities. Presently, BHEL is executing contracts of MSETCL for installing Controlled Shunt Reactors at the 400 kV Karad and Dhule substations, which are under advanced stages of execution and shall be commissioned shortly.

In addition, BHEL has developed indigenously, disc insulators for application in ± 800 kV HVDC and 1200 kV AC systems and is developing 1200 kV Transformers and Capacitive Voltage Transformers to meet the future transmission system requirements in the country.

BHEL is the largest manufacturer of transformers in India, having supplied more than 4,000 transformers, aggregating to over 3,00,000 MVA in cumulative capacity for transmission and distribution networks, which are the mainstay of the Indian Grid. These have been supplied to all major utilities in the country including SEBs, NTPC, PowerGrid etc. On the export front, the company has supplied transformers to more than 20 countries around the world including Libya, Oman, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Zambia.