BHEL once again demonstrates its International Competitiveness; Wins Order for 412 MW World Bank-funded Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh

In the face of intense competition from leading French and Austrian multinational giants, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured a major contract for setting up a 412 MW (6 x 68.67 MW) Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Himachal Pradesh.

The order for the Electro-mechanical package for the World Bank-funded Rampur HEP was bagged by BHEL under International Competitive Bidding (ICB), as its offer was found techno-economically the best.

Valued at over Rs.6,410 Million, the prestigious order for Rampur HEP has been placed on BHEL by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL). With this, SJVNL has once again reposed confidence in BHEL's proven technological excellence and capability in executing projects of this magnitude.

Located in Kullu district, about 235 kilometres from Kalka, the powerhouse will generate electricity utilising the waters of the river Satluj at a head of 119 meters. Rampur HEP is located on the downstream of the 6x250 MW Nathpa Jhakri HEP and will use the de-silted water discharged by the upstream project. The equipment will be supplied by BHEL's works at Bhopal and Bangalore and the project is slated for commissioning in a tight schedule of 42 months.

BHEL's scope of work in the contract envisages design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of complete electromechanical works for the project. Major equipment to be supplied includes six Vertical Francis hydro turbines with matching synchronous generators; digital governors; microprocessor-based controls, state-of-the-art monitoring and protection system, switchyard and 400 kV GIS, besides other associated equipment and auxiliaries.

For SJVNL, BHEL, as part of the EUCONA consortium, has earlier set up the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri HEP, the largest underground hydro-electric power project in the country.

BHEL has so far designed, manufactured, supplied and commissioned 365 hydro generating sets totalling to more than 16,996 MW in the country. In addition, several hydro projects are presently in various stages of execution.

BHEL has also commissioned 42 hydro sets corresponding to 2,491 MW outside India, in various countries including Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Azerbaijan and Bhutan. Presently, the company is executing orders for hydro projects in Taiwan, Afghanistan, Rwanda and Vietnam, which are in different stages of design, manufacture, supply and installation.