BHEL commissions 150 MW GTG in Libya - highest rating Power Plant equipment to be exported from India.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a new milestone in overseas markets with the commissioning of its state-of-the-art first 150 MW Gas Turbine in Libya. This assumes further significance as it is the highest rating Power Plant equipment to be exported from India as well as the highest rating Gas Turbine commissioned by the company in overseas markets.

The unit has been commissioned by BHEL on turnkey basis for the General Electricity Company of Libya at its upcoming 600 MW (4x150 MW) Gas Turbine-based Western Mountain power project. BHEL is in the process of installing three more units of similar rating at the Western Mountain power project, which on becoming fully operational by June 2006, will be the largest power plant set up by BHEL overseas.

The Gas Turbine has been exported against an order for four such machines - the single largest overseas order received by any capital goods manufacturer in India. The 600 MW gas-based power station is being set up by BHEL on turnkey basis. In addition to the setting up of the project, BHEL is also imparting training to Libyan engineers on the design, operation and maintenance of gas-based power stations.

BHEL made a foray in the Libyan market with a turnkey contract for the 2x120 MW Tripoli West Power Station Extension. The award of such an order in the seventies, amidst stiff competition from the developed world was a measure of recognition of BHEL’s standing in the international field. Significantly, the power plant created a record of sorts by running uninterruptedly without any forced outages for over 25 years.

Satisfied with the performance of BHEL units, the Electricity Corporation of Tripoli assigned BHEL the task of carrying out rehabilitation of a boiler, installed by a European supplier, at the Tripoli West Power Station. This success led to other rehabilitation and overhaul jobs in that country. BHEL’s involvement in Libya also facilitated the formation of Indo-Libyan Company for execution of power projects in Libya.

BHEL has carved a niche in the large size Gas turbine segment (124 MW and 159MW ISO rating) in overseas markets. Such large size BHEL-supplied Gas Turbines, have been installed at power projects in Oman, Iraq, Italy, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and China. BHEL is today placed among the world's leading gas turbine manufacturers possessing all-round engineering and technological capabilities for the manufacture of such intricate technology driven equipment.