Date:25/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/25/stories/2006022503470300.htm

Back Areva T&D to invest euro 50 m in power sector

Anil Sasi

New Delhi , Feb. 24

French energy major Areva T&D plans to invest around 50 million in the country's transmission and distribution sector over the next three years. The company is also looking at ramping up exports from the country.

"India, along with China and West Asia, is emerging as the high growth market for Areva T&D. We are looking at expanding beyond our eight facilities currently operational here... and plan to invest around 50 million in the Indian market over the next three years or so," a member of Areva's Executive Committee and the Chairman and CEO of Areva T&D, Mr Philippe Guillemot, told Business Line.

Talking about the growing significance of India, Mr Guillemot said the Asia region currently represented nearly 22 per cent of Areva T&D's annual worldwide sales of 3.2 million, with India accounting for around 9-10 per cent of overall sales.

He said the Indian power sector, which has been registering growth of around 20 per cent, presented an important opportunity to the company to step on its ongoing product development plans here.

"We have plans to increase capacities for the Indian market as well as for exports, with exports from India expected to go up to 20 per cent of overall sales here, from the current levels of 12-15 per cent," he said.

The company currently employ around 2,850 people across its eight sites in the country. "Areva is among the top three T&D players in India and we plan to consolidate on our leadership position in the market here. We are targeting an increase in our present market share of about 15 per cent," he said.

He said about 75 per cent of the country's load flow was already being managed by Areva's Energy Management Systems.