BHEL's power generating sets achieve all-time high PLF & generation; substantially boost country's power generation in fiscal 2006-07

Power generation in the country received a boost during fiscal 2006-07, as a result of excellent performance of BHEL-built power generating sets, which generated a record 432.81 Billion Units of electricity – 7.5% more than the previous year. This constituted 73% of the country's total power generation and contributed substantially in narrowing the gap between demand and supply of power.

BHEL thermal sets achieved an all-time high Plant Load Factor (PLF) of 78.3% which was higher than the national average by 1.5%. Operating Availability (OA) of these sets was also the highest ever at 84.7%. Notably, 75 BHEL sets achieved PLF of over 90% while six BHEL-make thermal sets of various ratings operated at a record PLF of 100%.

In the same period, BHEL-make thermal sets of 200/210/250/500 MW capacity, which form the backbone of the country's thermal power generating capacity, operated at an impressive PLF and OA of 83.5% and 88.7%, respectively.

Significantly, out of the 34 power stations (thermal, nuclear, gas and hydro) recently awarded with Govt. of India’s Meritorious Productivity Awards for excellent performance, as many as 29 are equipped with generating equipment manufactured and supplied by BHEL.

In addition, 11 of the 12 power stations awarded with the Gold Shield for commendable and highly productive performance are equipped with BHEL sets, once again establishing the reliability and quality of BHEL’s equipment. These include; NTPC’s Simhadri and Ramagundam; Tata Power Company’s Trombay; KPCL’s Almatti and Varahi; HPGCL’s Tau Devi Lal; NPCIL’s Kaiga; RIL’s Dahanu; APGenco's Upper Sileru and NHDC’s Indira Sagar power stations.

During the year, BHEL also reinforced its commitment to providing prompt and efficient customer service aimed at facilitating uninterrupted power supply and keeping power plants in good running condition by overhauling 118 thermal utility/industrial sets and 29 hydro sets.

BHEL’s generating sets installed in the country total to nearly 81,000 MW today and account for 65% of India’s installed generating capacity of over 1,25,000 MW but these sets contribute 73% of the electricity being generated. In real terms, this translates into nearly three out of every four homes in India being lit up with power generated by BHEL sets.

Aimed at equipping itself to meet the country's power capacity addition, BHEL has embarked upon a very ambitious plan of enhancing its manufacturing capacity by a massive 250% from 6,000 MW to 15,000 MW per annum with a total investment of around Rs.32,000 Million, for the 11th Plan.

BHEL has fully established state-of-the-art-technology for design, manufacture, erection and commissioning of thermal sets up to 500 MW ratings and has the capability to manufacture sets up to 1,000 MW ratings. The company has also taken steps for upgradation/introduction of new technologies. It has tied up to acquire new technology to produce thermal power equipment with super-critical parameters for the next higher rating 800 MW sets and above. Introduction of higher rating hydro turbine generator sets and advanced class Gas Turbines has also been planned to cater to upcoming market requirements.