Tamil Nadu Electricity Board blames BHEL for delayed projects

State utilities across the nation blame equipment supplier Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for delays in the commissioning of power plants. In TN, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) officials say that nine thermal plants that were contracted to BHEL have been delayed by 2.5 to 4.5 years. While other states have pressed for and obtained compensation from BHEL, Tamil Nadu hasn't yet taken that route. But TNEB officials say that they would ask for damages for the delayed North Chennai plants once they are fully functioning. An independent expert says BHEL may owe Tangedco Rs 1,400 crore as contractual fines. BHEL, however, says the firm is not responsible for the delays. "Though there has been some delay on our part, in a majority of the cases, the delay is on the part of the state utility as the infrastructure to erect the boiler or other equipment was often not ready ," said a senior BHEL official. The Neyveli plant of 500 MW takes the cake - if there's one to be had - for delays. Work on the plant started in 2005 and is yet to be completed - largely due to boiler problems. In late 2007, BHEL formed a joint venture with TNEB to construct the Udangudi power plant. Since no work was done, chief minister J Jayalithaa announced that Tangedco would construct the 1,320MW plant as a state-sector project. more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-Electricity-Board-blames-BHEL-for-delayed-projects/articleshow/37523987.cms

‘Competition from China is no longer a threat for BHEL’

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), India’s State-run power equipment maker, is facing tough times. Though the order book is sound, the slowdown in the power sector and troubles in coal fields have put pressure on the company’s growth curve. At the helm, confronted with many more challenges, is B Prasada Rao. Having steered BHEL for five years, Rao got a rare extension for two more years from January 1, 2014. In an with Business Line, he explained the reasons for the tight situation and steps to bounce back. Your turnover, order book and finances are under strain. What factors have led to these difficult times? Yes, BHEL finds itself in a challenged situation. We crossed a record turnover of ₹50,000 crore during 2012-13. However, in FY-14, there was a dip and we ended up with just over ₹40,000 crore. Our order book, however, is healthy at ₹1.1 lakh crore. more at: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/competition-from-china-is-no-longer-a-threat-for-bhel/article6160121.ece

BHEL exec director inaugurates digital movie projector at officers’ club

Shashi Ranjan Prasad, Executive Director, BHEL, Bhopal recently inaugurated the latest “Direct Relay Digital Movie projector system” at BHEL Officers` Club. On this occasion Neelima Prasad, President BHEL Ladies’ Club; President, BHEL Officers’ Club & General Manager (MM) Kishore Purswani, General Manager (HR) S Chaturvedi, all GMs and other senior dignitaries were present. The direct relay digital system for movie projection has been brought in place of the earlier reel-based system. The inauguration of the system was followed by the screening of ‘HOLIDAY’ movie at the club. The first show after the installation of the new system was attended by a huge enthusiastic gathering of club members. more at: http://freepressjournal.in/bhel-exec-director-inaugurates-digital-movie-projector-at-officers-club/

BHEL plans collaboration with IITs to ramp up R&D activities

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is eyeing for collaborations with leading Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to further scale up its research and development (R&D) efforts. Aimed at exploring potential collaborative areas for new technology and product development, BHEL recently organised an industry-academia meet at its corporate research & development (R&D) division at Hyderabad. Leading academicians from IITs at Kanpur, Delhi, Mumbai, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Patna, Jodhpur, Bhubhaneswar and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) participated in the meet and presented their areas of strength, possible synergy, nature of on-going research activities and relevance to BHEL. B Prasada Rao, CMD, BHEL stressed that the company's products have market dimensions with a focus on customer requirements and that R&D projects should align with market needs. BHEL offers around 180 products and there is a need to dovetail R&D activity with marketing efforts. He also mentioned that the country should have protection from cheap imports of inefficient finished goods and we must be able to produce technologically advanced and economically viable products. more at: http://www.business-standard.com/content/b2b-manufacturing-industry/bhel-plans-collaboration-with-iits-to-ramp-up-r-d-activities-114062300260_1.html

BHEL, BHEL-GE joint venture revamp gas turbine for Delhi's Pragati Power Corporation

BHEL and BHEL-GE joint venture have together revamped the 104 MW Gas Turbine Generator of the Pragati Power Corporation, which will help in easing the electricity situation in the capital. "The job was awarded to BHEL and BHEL-GE Gas Turbine Services Pvt Limited (BGGTS) for the Generator and Gas Turbine respectively for this combined cycle plant at Pragati," BHEL said in a statement. BHEL-GE Gas Turbine Services Pvt Limited (BGGTS) is a Joint Venture company promoted by BHE .. Read more at: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/36829187.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst more at: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/engineering/bhel-bhel-ge-joint-venture-revamp-gas-turbine-for-delhis-pragati-power-corporation/articleshow/36829187.cms

BHEL commissions hydel unit at Himachal Pradesh

BHEL on Friday commissioned 68 MW unit at the Rampur Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh. “With the commissioning of one more hydro generating unit of 68 MW at Rampur project, BHEL has commissioned four units of the 412 MW hydro power plant of SJVN Limited,” BHEL said in a statement. The first three units of the Rampur project, which were commissioned earlier by BHEL in March, have been put into commercial operation in May. The remaining two sets are also at an advanced stage of execution and are likely to be commissioned by BHEL shortly, the company said in a statement. Rampur hydel project is located on River Satluj in Himachal Pradesh -- 120 km from Shimla. BHEL’s scope of work in the project includes supply, erection and commissioning of turbines, generators, control and monitoring system (SCADA), associated station auxiliaries, Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and other electrical and mechanical equipment. BHEL is presently executing hydro power projects of around 5,000 MW which are under various stages of implementation. It has enhanced its manufacturing capacity to 20,000 MW per annum. more at: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/bhel-commissions-hydel-unit-at-himachal-pradesh/article6111134.ece

Geete asks BHEL to explore entering power generation business

Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Anant Geete has asked the state-run power gear maker BHEL to venture into electricity generation business. Geete, who visited the company's corporate office here, suggested that BHEL explore the possibility of entering the area of power generation, an official statement by BHEL said. BHEL chief B P Rao said: "The company has already made an entry into the area by setting up joint ventures with some state Gencos (generation companies)." The company officials briefed the minister about the company's performance trends, diversification plans, manufacturing and R&D (research and development) capability by the company officials. ref: http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/geete-asks-bhel-to-explore-entering-power-generation-business-114061000971_1.html

BHEL stops work at AP power station after Rs. 240 crore fine

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has ordered stoppage of work at the 2x800 MW Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station in Krishnapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The move comes in the wake of the company being reportedly singled out for project delays and levied a fine of ₹240 crore for liquidated damages (LD), which Andhra Pradesh Power Development Corporation Ltd (APPDCL) has deducted. According to sources, BHEL pointed out that though APPDCL was aware of the shortcomings of the other contractors on site, the LD was deducted unilaterally, without assessing reasons for the delay. APPDCL’s move is against the terms and conditions and the spirit of the contract. ref: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/bhel-stops-work-at-ap-power-station-after-240-crore-fine/article6090058.ece