Date:02/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/02/stories/2005060201800200.htm

Back Alstom ready to supply large generation plants

Our Bureau

Bangalore , June 1

FRENCH power equipment supplier Alstom has indicated its willingness to supply large power plants to domestic utilities both in the public and private sectors.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Phillipe Joubert, President (Power), Alstom, has said: "We are open to supply the utilities if we have orders."

He said the company was capable of supplying large generation plants in excess of 800 MW. Alstom has already supplied such plants in excess of 1,000 MW to utilities in China. In fact, Mr Joubert said Alstom was focussing on Asia to power its growth.

Along with conventional turbines for both thermal and gas stations, Alstom also makes turbines for nuclear power stations. Asked whether Alstom was prepared to supply these turbines, Mr Joubert said: "We have not got any orders for supply of these equipment."

Mr Joubert admitted that the exchange rate was an issue in supplying equipment. This was on account of the euro's appreciation against the dollar during the last two years. This was especially so since the power major would have to compete against suppliers who would be invoicing in dollars.

However, he added, Alstom had plants located around the world from where it could source components to overcome the exchange rate disadvantages.

In India, Alstom operates through its domestic subsidiary, Alstom Projects India Ltd. It has so far supplied steam turbines of 500 MW and below and gas turbines to NTPC of 650-MW each for Gandhar and Kawas plants.

With NTPC now moving to setting up large thermal stations of 1,000 MW per unit, Mr Jourbert said, Alstom would be pitching for supplying the turbines.

Alstom has also supplied equipment to two Independent power producers in the country. These included a thermal station, a gas based station.

In addition, Alstom was also supplying hydel generation equipment to the Jaiprakash group, which is promoting the 400 MW Vishnuprayag Hydro. This project is due to be commissioned by the end of next year.

He said Alstom was also looking forward to participating in the retrofitting contracts of some of the State-owned utilities. Some of the plants were in the process of being upgraded to improve their generation efficiency.

Among the projects where Alstom was involved in retrofitting included the 250-MW (4x50) station of the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board.