Why BHEL is now also in the road-building business

In April, when it received a shipment of a 450-tonne stator from technology partner Siemens at Mumbai port, the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) decided against unloading it there due to logistical constraints. Instead, it chose to transport the consignment by barge to Karwar. From there to Raichur, the final destination in Karnataka, BHEL’s logistics contractor is building 15 bypasses en route to ensure that the cargo, still in transit, reaches Raichur safe and sound. Constructing bypasses to move large-sized cargo has become a routine affair for engineering firms such as BHEL, mainly because there are no reliable estimates on the adequacy of most road bridges, specifically on their weight-bearing capacity. “It’s not our job (to construct bypasses), but there is absolutely no way out,” a senior BHEL executive said. more at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/why-bhel-is-now-also-in-the-roadbuilding-business/993596/

BHEL to step up focus on high-value assignments

Amid intensifying competition in the power generation equipment business, the Rs 49,510 crore Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) plans to step up its share of high-value EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) jobs over the next five years against its mainstay BTG (boiler, turbine generator) orders in the power sector, which form an overwhelming proportion its turnover. EPC jobs entail the entire gamut of project work, including civil engineering and equipment supply, while BTG packages are essentially restricted to the supply of main plant gear — boilers and turbines — for a project. Over the previous five years, the EPC content that BHEL has been executing is pegged around 20 per cent of its total jobs while 80 per cent of the firm’s assignments were BTG jobs. more at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bhel-to-step-up-focus-on-highvalue-assignments/993543/

BHEL hosts programme to spread word on eye donation

Under the banner 'Vision to All-BHEL's Call' an eye donation awareness programme was held on Saturday at BHEL, Bhopal, in association with Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital. B Prasada Rao chairman and managing director, BHEL, has initiated this noble drive of eye donation across all units of BHEL. SS Gupta Executive Director BHEL, Bhopal was present as the chief on the occasion. Gupta speaking on this occasion threw light on the significance of eye donation simultaneously urging the gathering to actively participate in this journey of eye donation. Shrivastava in his address made the congregation aware about the importance of eye donation. LC Janyani along with other doctors from Sewa Sadan gave presentation on eye donation. They also tried aware the people regarding the misconceptions of eye donation. On this occasion 30 employees who enrolled were presented Certificate of Appreciation. more at: http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhopal/90063-bhel-hosts-programme-to-spread-word-on-eye-donation.html

BHEL to provide iron wheels for temple car

BHEL, Tiruchirapalli will provide the iron wheels for the temple car for Kailasanathar temple in this town. Karaikal South MLA A M H Nazeem told reporters that the wheels would be purchased from BHEL. Ninety per cent of the work which commenced in August 2011 has been completed at a total cost of Rs 40 lakh, raised through public donations. He Chief Minister Rengaswamy has assured that government funds would be released to meet other expenses related to car construction. Nazeem said the car would be used in the annual brahmorchavam of temples under the Kailasanathar Devasthanam, Karaikal. Earlier, the MLA, accompanied by Special Officer (temples) Asaithambi, inspected the car construction work and interacted with the sthapathis. ref: http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/bhel-to-provide-iron-wheels-for-temple-car/1050446.html

Alstom-BHEL consortium bags NPCIL contract

Alstom in consortium with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has secured a contract from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for the supply of turbine generator packages. Alstom’s share in the total contract is about Rs 700 crore. The package is for the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) units 7 & 8 at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan. Alstom and BHEL will supply and commission the turbine generator packages for the station’s two 700-MW capacity units. The expansion of the existing capacity of the 1,180-MW of RAPP nuclear power plant will help meet the country’s increasing demand for power, Alstom said. Alstom said this order follows the 2x700 MW units for the Kakrapar 3 and 4 nuclear power plants in Gujarat a year ago. The first contract that Alstom executed for NPCIL was for Rajasthan unit 1 and unit 2 in 1973 and 1981. Thereafter, it became the technology provider through BHEL for the 220-MW park for Kakrapar. more at: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3807192.ece

BHEL actively seeks buyout opportunities in US, Europe

Looking to bolster its overseas foot prints, state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals is actively scouting for acquisition opportunities in Europe and the US. At present, the company is executing as many as 24 contracts spread across 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Sudan, Syria and Vietnam. BHEL has said it is "actively pursuing acquisition opportunities in Europe and the USA" in the areas of core technologies in energy sector, including renewables, transportation and transmission. The efforts are aimed at gaining access to technology, global markets as well as securing global supply sources, BHEL said in its 2011-12 annual report. more at: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods/svs/engineering/bhel-actively-seeks-buyout-opportunities-in-us-europe/articleshow/15586716.cms

BJP cries foul over tender cancellation

BJP’s national secretary Kirit Somaiya on Friday alleged that the party has smelt rat in cancellation of tenders of two mega power projects to benefit private players in power sector. At a media conference, Somaiya released a set of documents to establish that despite of awarding the contract of two mega power projects to public sector BHEL, the Government-run Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RRVUN) cancelled the contract and decided to invite fresh tenders in a way that would ensure at least one of the projects to a private company. This was done despite a clear-cut instruction from the Centre. According to him in November 2009, RRVUN had invited tenders for two mega power projects for Surtgarh and Chhabra. Under the scheme, RRVUN had to set up one power project each at both the place. Suratgarh and Chabbra were to have two power units of 660 MW each. Approximate cost of setting up these two mega power project was estimated at about Rs12,000 cores. RRVUN in November 2009 had invited tenders for the same from BHEL, with a seven per cent less cost. According to Somiaya , RRVUN had invited BHEL in January this year to finalise the terms and other conditions before issuing work orders. “BHEL had agreed to all the conditions. The board of directors of RRVUN in its meeting in March this year took a decision to issue the work order to BHEL. But suddenly in April, RRVUN informed BHEL that it has decided to invite fresh tenders for both the projects” more at: http://dailypioneer.com/nation/87973-bjp-cries-foul-over-tender-cancellation.html