Date:26/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/26/stories/2006032603010300.htm

Back Areva T&D to expand range

Sowmya Sundar

Chennai , March 25

Areva T&D India is expanding its product range for a number of products including high voltage equipment. It plans to start manufacturing 765 KV HVDC transformers and sub-stations in India in a phased manner.

The company also plans to manufacture secondary distribution equipment, energy management equipment and disconnectors.

Mr Ajay Kumar Dhagat, Managing Director of Areva T&D India, said, "Grid voltages will go up to 765 KV from 400 KV and more 765 KV HVDC sub-stations will come as large size power generation projects come.'' The market size for high voltage equipment such as 765 KV sub-stations and transformers would roughly be around Rs 2,500 crore over the next 3 to 4 years.

Mr Dhagat indicated that the size of the high voltage sub-station market would be close to Rs 2,000 crore and for high voltage transformers around Rs 500 crore. Similarly two more HVDC projects are envisaged each being Rs 1,500 crore in the next three years.

It is a technology intensive business and only few players including Siemens, ABB and few Japanese companies have the technology to manufacture these equipment, he said. He agreed that the margins would be higher for equipment in the high voltage segment.