Wednesday, June 29, 2011

BHEL looks to expand vendor base

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) today said it is trying to develop different types of entrepreneurship vendors from various parts of the country for outsourcing its huge requirements, particularly of machining and foundry products.

The Tiruchirappally unit of BHEL, which used to outsource its requirements from 12 vendors for Rs 15 lakh in a year in 1970, has increased its vendor capacity to 600, procuring four lakh metric tonnes of components worth Rs 1,400 crore at present, Additional General Manager of the company TV Krishnan told reporters.

The company, which employed the vendors for converting the raw material given by it, has now shifted to Away Centre Fabrication mode, by which vendors themselves procure raw material and supply finished goods to the specification and drawing provided by the company, he said.

However, he added that since BHEL required a huge quantity of components, the vendor should have good financial support for working capital and a minimum work area.

more at:
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/bhel-looks-to-expand-vendor-base_561254.html

IGNOU diploma can get you job at BHEL

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Wednesday said its advanced diploma in mechanical and electrical engineering has received recognition from the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), making the students eligible for employment in the state-run firm.

The diploma is offered by IGNOU's Institute of Industrial Management for Safety , Health and Environment (IIMSHE) community college in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

"The diploma awarded by IGNOU is equivalent to diploma in engineering and thus candidates with this qualification are eligible to apply for the post of supervisor trainees in BHEL," the company's executive director B. Shankar said in a communique to S.A. Pillai, managing director, IGNOU-IIMSHE.

According to the varsity, the IIMSHE is recognised by the government of Madhya Pradesh.

"The apex body of this institute is governed and advised by public sector and multinational companies," a varsity official said.

ref:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/ignou-diploma-can-get-you-job-at-bhel/articleshow/9038813.cms

SAIL, RINL, BHEL plan venture for silicon steel project

Public sector giants SAIL, BHEL and RINL have decided on a joint venture for building an integrated manufacturing unit for electrical and silicon grade steel. Value-added special products used in heavy electrical equipment and in the infrastructure sector will also be made. This is a first such in the country.The three already formed a joint technical committee, which in turn has had several rounds of informal discussion with owners of the well-guarded technology.

Sources in SAIL, BHEL and RINL confirmed to Business Line that the three Government-owned entities recently decided to seek expression of interest (EOI) from the owners of the technology in the next two months.

The proposed production facility will be in collaboration with a proven technology owner. The initial production capacity of two grades of silicon steel – CRGO and CRNO – at the proposed facility has also been suggested at 1.5 lakh tonnes an annum (ltpa) and two to three ltpa, respectively. The shortlist of locations for the project includes Rourkela, Bokaro, Salem and Visakhapatnam.

The initial investment could be around Rs 3,000 crore, sources said.

more at:
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2142337.ece?homepage=true

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Bhel scouts foreign cos for acquisition

Keen to expand its overseas operations, especially in African market, state-owned power equipment maker Bhel is targetting to increase its revenue from exports to Rs 4,500 crore this fiscal and may pick up stake in ventures abroad.

"About 8-10 per cent of the company's turnover is contributed by exports. Last year (2010-11), we have done about Rs 4,000 crore from the export markets, this year also we are expecting to do a similar thing," Bhel Chairman and Managing Director B P Rao told PTI.

The company is, however, working on a stragetic plan and will announce new targets for export revenues in next 5-6 months, he said, adding, the company is growing manifold in the international markets and is focussed especially on Africa.

"Exports are important... focus has been Africa, South-East Asia, Gulf countries. Africa is definitely a very big focus area for us, we are doing jobs in Sudan and Libya," Rao added.

more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/bhel-scouts-foreign-cos-for-acquisition/articleshow/9000956.cms

Saturday, June 25, 2011

MK Dube takes charge as BHEL director

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) today said M K Dube has assumed charge as Director (Industrial Systems & Products).

Prior to this appointment, Dube was heading the state-run firm's heavy electrical plant at Bhopal as Executive Director, BHEL said in a statement.


He is also now member of the BHEL board.

A mechanical engineer, 57-year-old Dube joined BHEL as an Engineer Trainee in 1976.

Among others, Dube had also served as GM (Monitoring) and was head of the company's Hydro Division in Bhopal.

"He was also instrumental in establishing the state-of-the-art new CNC Hydro Block for further increasing the manufacturing capacity of Hydro Turbines," the statement said.

ref:
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mk-dube-takes-charge-as-bhel-director/139434/on

Thursday, June 23, 2011

BHEL and BEL consortium to invest Rs 2,000 crore in AP

A consortium of public sector majors Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and Bharat Electronics ( BEL )), has decided to invest Rs 2,000 crore to set up a solar photovoltaic modules production unit near Hyderabad.

``We have allotted 90 acres of land in Fab city for the proposed project. Besides, Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) has also proposed six units including a missile unit in Ranga Reddy district with a cumulative investment of Rs 3,000 crore,'' said BR Meena, vice-chairman & managing director of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APPIC).

The new investment through the PSU joint venture is expected to help the state to revive its 1040-acre Fab city project near Hyderabad.

In 2006, Andhra Pradesh could pip Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to get the Fab city project. Originally conceived as a semiconductor manufacturing hub, Fab city never took off as planned by the Centre and the state. This prompted the state to position it as as solar investment hub.

more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/engineering/bhel-and-bel-consortium-to-invest-rs-2000-crore-in-ap/articleshow/8965655.cms

S S Gupta new Executive Director of BHEL's Bhopal unit

S S Gupta has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Bhopal unit of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

He will succeed M K Dubey who has been promoted to the post of Director, Industry Sector and Projects.

Formal orders for the appointement of Gupta who was till now Executive Director of the Jhansi Unit of the BHEL were issued yesterday.

General Manager (in-charge), A K Dave has been appointed as the new head of the BHEL Jhansi Unit .

ref:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-announcement/s-s-gupta-new-executive-director-of-bhels-bhopal-unit/articleshow/8961983.cms

Monday, June 20, 2011

Moderation in earnings growth tempers Bhel’s valuation

In a recent presentation, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) indicated that its share of orders for power equipment during the 12th Plan has inched up marginally when compared with that in the 11th Plan. More interesting is the fact that the share of the much-feared Chinese players has declined. But valuations of Bhel are moving southwards.

While brokerages have a “buy” recommendation for the stock, most have revised the “target price” downwards by 20-25% in the last 18 months.

ref:
http://www.livemint.com/2011/06/20231951/Moderation-in-earnings-growth.html

Sunday, June 19, 2011

BHEL to hire 25,000 in next 5 years

In one of the most aggressive recruitment plan in the public sector, state-run power equipment maker BHEL will hire 25,000 people over the next five years to take its total headcount to 55,000, a top company executive said today.

"We have already hired 15,000 people in the past four years and we aim to recruit 5,000 people every year for the next five years," CMD BHEL B P Rao told PTI in an interview.

The 5,000 new recruitment would comprise 1,000 engineers, 1,000 diploma holder and 2,000 ITI (Industrial Training Institute) graduates among others, he said.

more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/bhel-to-hire-25000-in-next-5-years/articleshow/8912543.cms

Friday, June 17, 2011

BHEL, GAIL may get conditional Maharatna status

The proposal to grant conditional Maharatna status to BHEL and GAIL will be taken to the Cabinet soon even as they do not meet the criteria at present, a top official said today.

The one-time exception is being considered to enable the two blue-chip PSUs to exploit investment opportunities up to Rs 5,000 crore without government approval, Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises Bhaskar Chatterjee said.

While equipment firm BHEL and gas utility, GAIL, do not meet the financial parameters for the Maharatna status, they are expected to fulfill the criteria by the end of this fiscal.

more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/bhel-gail-may-get-conditional-maharatna-status/articleshow/8889529.cms

BHEL Grid-Connected Eco-Friendly 5MW Solar Power Plant @ KPCL

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited aka BHEL recently won a turnkey contract to setup a 5MW grid-connected solar power plant from Karnataka Power Corporation Limited aka KPCL.The overall value of the project is expected to be around INR. 620 million. BHEL will setup Solar PhotoVoltaic (SPV) power plant at Belakavadi village near Mandya in Karnataka.

The contract involves design, manufacture, supply, installation and operation & maintenance of the solar power plant. With this project in their hands, BHEL is executing SPV based power projects totaling about 16MW. KPCL specifically selected the Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic (C-SI PV) technology for the solar power plant project. The technology has proven results in various parts of the world and comes with longest operational experience. The entire setup will consist of an array of thousands of photovoltaic cells made up of silicon which will absorb light energy and convert it into light energy. Inverters will convert the DC power to AC and ultimately it will be fed to the grid via transformers.

more at:
http://www.crazyengineers.com/bhel-grid-connected-eco-friendly-5mw-solar-power-plant-kpcl-502/

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Chandy demands merger of Instrumentation Ltd with BHEL

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has urged Union Minister for Heavy Industries Praful Patel to take steps for the merger of Palakkad unit of Instrumentation Limited with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) as ``it is the only way out to solve the crisis faced by IL.”

Chief Minister in his letter on Monday to the Union Minister has said that “Palakkad unit of IL is in utter financial crisis and the employees are put to undue hardship. The unit is in acute shortage of working capital. Due to non-payment of cost of raw materials suppliers have stopped supply to the unit resulting in delay on execution of orders. Due to this BHEL has cancelled their five project orders. During the last two financial years, not less than fourty crores of rupees has been transferred from Palakkad to Kota unit,” the letter said.

It said that during the financial year 2010-11 the IL Palakkad unit has achieved an all time high turn over of Rs.103.5 crore and the profit is expected to exceed Rs.20 crore. But the unit is in acute shortage of working capital.”

The Chief Minister said that ``the only way out to solve the issue is to merge the Palakkad unit of IL with BHEL which is under the consideration of the Government.”

ref:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2104201.ece

Monday, June 13, 2011

Bhel in talks to source tech for higher-rating nuke plants

Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) is in talks with Areva, Alstom, Toshiba, General Electric and Siemens to source technology for manufacturing higher rating nuclear sets of 1,000 mw and above. Bhel chairman and managing director BP Rao said the move was strategic as the country was heading towards high-capacity nuclear power projects. The power equipment maker has a tripartite joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and Alstom to manufacture 700-mw nuclear turbines.

Rao said there was good scope for manufacturing high-rating sets of above 1,000 mw in the country. NPCIL plans to set up high-capacity units in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Several projects, including Jaitapur in Maharashtra, are proposed to have 1,650-mw units, he said. "We want to expand to highersized units and are in talks with various vendors for technology tie-ups for nuclear as well as conventional islands," Rao said.

Nuclear power plants consist of two main components - nuclear island, including the reactor; and conventional island with turbines and generators . While nuclear island generates steam using nuclear technology, conventional islands use the steam to produce electricity through turbines and generators .

more at :
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/engineering/bhel-in-talks-to-source-tech-for-higher-rating-nuke-plants/articleshow/8845110.cms

BHEL Solar Panels deployed on GSAT-8 Satellite

The Electronics Division of Bangalore based Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has assembled and supplied Space Grade Solar Panels to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which have been successfully deployed on GSAT-8 Satellite.

The satellite, launched from French Guiana recently, is the heaviest ever satellite of ISRO which caters to the requirement of telecommunication, a release said.

Four BHEL-supplied Solar Panels, each more than 5 m2 of area, totaling to 21 m2, for GSAT-8 comprise of Multi Junction Solar Cells in series and parallel combinations, with total power capacity of 4.5 kWp.

The space solar panels were manufactured to strict space quality standards in BHEL facility wherein cell welding, bonding and wiring work was carried out by skilled manpower.

The panels have been further subjected to detailed testing by ISRO such as vibration test and thermovac test as part of the space quality requirements to validate the mechanical, electrical and thermal performance, it added.

BHEL-Electronics Division, in collaboration with ISRO, has established state-of-art class 10,000 clean room facilities at their Electronics Systems Division for the assembly and testing of Space Grade Solar Panels using high efficiency Solar Cells. BHEL has so far supplied 51 Space Solar Panels totaling to 221 Sq.Mtrs of area for various satellites of ISRO.

ref:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/electronics/bhel-solar-panels-deployed-on-gsat-8-satellite/articleshow/8835293.cms

Sunday, June 12, 2011

BHEL looks to invest Rs 9000 crore surplus in state power projects

Sitting on a huge cash surplus of over Rs 9,000 crore, state-owned power equipment maker BHEL is keen to invest in a joint venture by picking up equity in state power projects, a move that would generate revenues and also additional business for the PSU.

"...We are putting this money in joint ventures offering state generation companies equity in their power plants. It is a better way to invest money and generate business for the company," BHEL CMD BP Rao said in New Delhi on Sunday.

The company has already entered into four such joint ventures with states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, he said, adding that BHEL would be investing about Rs 3,000 crore in these JVs over a period of four years depending upon the schedule of projects.

These power plants could be coal-based or gas-based and as they get the linkage to the raw material the projects would take off.

By doing so, BHEL would pick up to 25 per cent equity and this would ensure business for equipments. The state generation firms would contribute the remaining 75 per cent equity.

more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/bhel-looks-to-invest-rs-9000-crore-surplus-in-state-power-projects/articleshow/8824133.cms

Monday, June 6, 2011

First wind farm lies in state of neglect

At a time when the State is reeling under severe power shortage, the country’s first demonstration wind farm set up at Mullakkadu near here is a� fine example of poor maintenance.
Manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), the 55 KW wind turbine was installed at Mullakkadu in 1984 — a period when wind energy remained almost untapped in India.

In 1986, the first wind farm with 10 turbines of 55 KW each was installed at Mullakkadu to demonstrate the techno-economic viability of wind power and to attract private investments in wind mills. This was later expanded to a wind farm with a total installed capacity of 1.15 MW.
Though the Mullakkadu wind farm triggered installation of wind turbines in other parts of the State, including the one at Muppandal in Kanyakumari, it now lies in a state of neglect.

Asia’s largest wind farm, the Mullakkadu facility now wears a deserted look. Thorny bushes surround the towers and trespassing is very common. Also, the control room-cum-junior engineer’s office is in a dilapidated state.

“The farm has been unattended to since 2006. One of the turbine blades has been lying broken for long. It just shows how poor maintenance has hit the facility,” said AIADMK district councillor P Selvakumar.

“Though power generation from the plant is paltry, its contribution to the State and environment is more crucial right now. We seek Amma’s special attention to revive the farm by upgrading it to the status of a higher energy generation unit,” he added.

When contacted, an official attached to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) official said, “We are helpless. Maintaining old wind turbines is not easy. Getting spares is very difficult as the old turbine models are out of the market. However, six of 21 turbines are still functioning. Besides, less wind velocity compared to that at Kayathar and Mupandal in the State has also pushed the farm into near oblivion.”


ref:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/first-wind-farm-lies-in-state-of-neglect/157065-60-118.html


PS; I think BHEL shall take over, repair and handover to a Private party !!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

500 MW Vallur, Tamilnadu plant - Boiler light up this month

The acute power crisis in Tamil Nadu may ease a bit this year with a unit of a power plant near here likely to start generation in November.

A 500 MW unit at the plant at Vallur will undergo trial runs starting this month. The company owning the plant, with three units of 500 MW each, is a joint venture between NTPC and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).

The state is experiencing a power shortage forcing scheduled power cuts of one-two hours, including in state capital Chennai. The average power deficit is around 2,500 MW.

According to a policy note of the state government's energy department, the total installed capacity, excluding renewable energy sources, is 10,214 MW including the state's share from the central pool. The average power demand for projected to be 2011-12 is 14,224 MW and for 2012-13 it is projected to be 15,517 MW.

"We are working towards lighting up of the unit I of the power plant boiler this month and the final synchronization with the grid will be in November," Jainender Kumar, executive director for project management with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), told IANS.

Power equipment major BHEL won the boiler, turbine and generator (BTG) as well as the coal handling contract for the three units and the total order value from the project is around Rs.4,140 crore.

more at:
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=242829

Friday, June 3, 2011

Bhel prepares strategic plan to take on competition

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) will soon unveil a strategic plan to prepare the company to face up to the joint challenge posed by Chinese manufacturers and local joint ventures.

The preparations for the plan are under way, with India’s largest power generation equipment manufacturer having held a strategy meeting of its top brass at Shimla last month. The in-house exercise is to assist the company to streamline its existing businesses and to plan new ventures.

While the power business will continue to be the most important constituent of Bhel’s portfolio in the coming years, industry sectors such as railway transportation and defence are expected to expand in a big way.

“We are working on a new strategic plan, which is expected to be ready in the next six months. We are preparing the organization for the future,” said B.P. Rao, chairman and managing director of Bhel.

The plan will help the company chart its course for the next 10 years that includes the 12th Plan (2012-17) and the 13th Plan (2017-22).

“We are preparing ourselves,” said a senior Bhel executive who attended the meeting in Shimla, but did not want to be identified.

more at:
http://www.livemint.com/2011/06/03232104/Bhel-prepares-strategic-plan-t.html?atype=tp

Thursday, June 2, 2011

BHEL bags Rs 62 cr solar power project

BHEL on Thursday said it has secured an order worth around Rs 62 crore for setting up solar power project for Karnataka Power Corporation Limited at Belakavadi village in Karnataka.

"BHEL has won a turnkey contract for setting up a grid-connected solar photo voltaic (SPV) power plant of 5-MW capacity at Belakavadi village, near Mandya, in Karnataka," a company release said.

Valued at nearly Rs 62 crore, the order was placed on BHEL by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). With this order, the company is presently executing SPV-based power projects of various capacities totalling 16 MW.

The SPV modules are manufactured at BHEL's manufacturing facility located at Bangalore. Solar cells and modules manufactured by the company are also exported to countries like Germany, Australia and Italy.

more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/bhel-bags-rs-62-cr-solar-power-project/articleshow/8692120.cms

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Bhel may rope in partner for infra lending arm

Engineering giant Bhel is expected to help the government mop up over Rs 4,500 crore when its shares are sold through a public offer later this year under the disinvestment programme. In recent years, the public sector company has come under pressure from Chinese equipment makers as well local rivals. Bhel CMD BP Rao discusses the company's strategy with TOI. Excerpts:

Q: Where do you see Bhel go from here?

A: We are now in the process of putting together a strategic plan for the next five years and the direction for the next 10-15 years. We had our first top management meet and details are being discussed at different operating levels. This whole thing is going to take six months.

more at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Bhel-may-rope-in-partner-for-infra-lending-arm/articleshow/8684505.cms