BHEL and Sheffield Forgemasters, UK, sign Technology Transfer Agreement for manufacture of large size Forgings for Turbines and Generators

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has signed a Technology Transfer Agreement for manufacture of large size Forgings for Turbines and Generators up to 1,000 MW rating with Sheffield Forgemasters International Limited, UK – the only independent forgemaster in the world.

The knowledge transfer package was signed in the presence of Sh. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India; Mr. B.S. Meena, Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises; Mr. B.P. Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL and Mr. Graham Honeyman, Chief Executive, Sheffield Forgemasters and other dignitaries.

The 10-year partnership to develop power generation forgings in the sub-continent will see transfer of specialist technology and engineering knowledge from the Sheffield-based manufacturer to BHEL.

On the occasion, Mr. B.P. Rao, CMD, BHEL said that, "We are delighted to be working with Sheffield Forgemasters on this exciting project and the agreement will prove vital in supporting the power generation equipment manufacturing strategies of BHEL. Forgemasters is a world renowned company and we have always admired the high standard of work they do. We are all looking forward to initiating what I'm sure will be a wonderful project for both companies”, he added.

Mr. Graham Honeyman, CEO, Sheffield Forgemasters, said, ‘This arrangement with BHEL is a great step forward and reinforces an already strong trading partnership between Forgemasters and India”.

The official launch of the trade agreement was marked by a visit to Sheffield and a tour of the Forgemasters’ plant by the high-level Indian delegation and the BHEL management.

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 contemporary technology, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and skilled technical manpower to meet the country’s power forecast in the future. The company has established the capability to deliver 15,000 MW of power equipment per annum and further augmentation to 20,000 MW per annum is underway.