The new company, which will be established in November, will target the launch of a service factory in 2012.
MHI’s aim is to localize repair services in Thailand, where the gas turbine market is thought to have growth potential, in order to enhance its services, including shortening of delivery times, and to extend its service capability throughout the Asia region.
EGAT has been looking for ways to reduce maintenance/repair costs and also to cultivate local engineers in this field in an aim to expand into other Asian markets.
The new JV, to be known as EGAT Diamond Services, will be capitalized at approximately THB600m, with EGAT, MHI, Mitsubishi and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding owning shares. The JV will build its repair plant in an industrial park near Bangkok and will initially offer repair services for combustor parts, and expand its operations to turbine blades.
MHI has delivered more than half of the large-size gas turbines owned by EGAT and more than 20 units to Thailand.
By further enhancing its technological expertise in maintenance and establishing an integrated follow-up structure from new delivery to after-sales service, through combination of the two companies’ strength, going forward MHI will step up its marketing activities in expanding power generation system market in Thailand and other Asian countries.
