BHEL set to become sole supplier in the world for high-rating Disc Insulators for 800 kV Ultra High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Lines

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured an order from PowerGrid for design, development and supply of higher rating porcelain Disc Insulators for applications in +800 kV Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) Transmission Lines.

The successful execution of this order will make BHEL the only supplier in the world of 420 kN and 320 kN porcelain Disc Insulators for +800 kV UHDVC application. Valued at Rs.63 Million, the order envisages supply of 5,000 numbers each of 420 kN and 320 kN insulators, by May, 2008. These Disc Insulators will be developed totally with in-house technology and facilities at BHEL’s Electro Porcelain Division (EPD) Bangalore, in association with its Corporate Research and Development (R&D) division at Hyderabad.

The development of these insulators will enable BHEL to participate in PowerGrid’s forthcoming and the first-ever +800 kV UHVDC transmission Line from Bishwanath Chiryaly, (North Eastern Region) to Agra. The UHVDC transmission line will be a major step ahead in implementing a bulk power transmission system in the country. This interconnection is envisaged to bring surplus, low-cost power from the North Eastern Region to the power deficit states in the Northern region.

BHEL has established leadership in the high-tech area of Ceramic technology for both HVDC as well as Ultra High Voltage Alternating Current (UHVAC) applications. Earlier, India was dependent on a few foreign sources for higher rating Disc Insulators required for + 500 kV HVDC as well as 800 kV HVAC Transmission lines. BHEL is currently meeting all the insulator requirements for transmission lines and thus the country does not need to depend on costly imports.

In the overseas market, the company has earlier exported ceramic insulators to UK, Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Ghana, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Trinidad & Tobago.

In the power transmission sector, BHEL has also established HVDC technology for efficient and reliable transmission of bulk power over long distances. The company achieved a major milestone in this area with successful commissioning of the 1500 MW + 500 kV Chandrapur Padghe HVDC project. BHEL has also successfully upgraded the country's first National HVDC transmission project between Barsoor in Madhya Pradesh and Lower Sileru in Andhra Pradesh from 100 MW, 100 kV to 200 MW, 200 kV.