Apart from the above, the company had discussions with France-based Areva for forming a JV to manufacture transmission equipment in India, which also includes building big power evacuation projects. With this JV, BHEL expected to get INR10 billion business in engineering, procurement and construction of transmission projects. The new JV would tap demand for transmission equipment, including 756kv transformer sets, and switchgears.
BHEL has a technology tie-up for high-voltage direct current transmission systems and manufactures power transmission systems with Sweden-based ABB. Currently, this group has undertaken projects for AC switchyards/substations of around 400kV and converter stations on a turnkey basis.
In the 11th plan, the Government of India plans to add a generating capacity of 78,577MW, and by 2012 the Government plans to increase the inter-regional transmission capacity to 37,150MW. By 2012-13, Power Grid Corporation of India also plans to move to the next higher voltage for the grid by constructing 1,200kV transmission lines.
