Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved another milestone in its services business by securing two Renovation & Modernization (R&M) contracts of Hydro Electric Plants (HEPs). Against stiff international competition, the company has won prestigious orders worth around Rs.430 Crore, for the R&M of the 6×60 MW Balimela HEP of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Limited (OHPC) and the 3×60 MW Bairasiul HEP of National Hydro Power Corporation Limited (NHPC). The units at both Balimela and Bairasiul have been in operation for over 35 years and the R&M of these units will result in restoration of output capacity, improvement in efficiency and reduction in auxiliary power consumption, in addition to leading to better plant availability. BHEL’s scope of work in the orders envisages design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, dismantling, erection, testing and commissioning of critical parts of Turbines, Generators, Governors, Controls & Instrumentation, Protection and Balance of Plant (BoP). Major equipment for these contracts will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL’s plants at Bhopal, Jhansi and Bengaluru.
The normal life expectancy of a Hydro Electric Plant is considered to be 30-35 years. In the present scenario of the resource constraint in the country, Renovation & Modernization and Uprating of existing Hydro Electric Projects is considered to be the best option, as this is cost effective and requires much lesser time than setting up of greenfield hydro power projects. BHEL’s footprint in hydropower account for 23 GW of hydro sets commissioned, and 6 GW of hydro sets under execution in India and abroad. These sets, aggregating to more than 500 in number at 200 different power stations in India and abroad, are delivering customized solutions in the most challenging of terrains – from the Himalayas in India and Bhutan to faraway lands of New Zealand, Southeast Asian countries & Africa. Some of these projects are landmarks in themselves as they are the biggest in the region they are installed at, incorporating unprecedented requirements.
BHEL’s constant R&D efforts has enabled it to offer latest design profiles with improved output, better efficiency, higher reliability and plant availability. Further, the company’s zeal to go to any length for the benefit of its customers did not go unnoticed and BHEL has received accolades from various forums for its commendable achievements in the field of hydro electric power generation.