Siemens to triple steam turbine capacity in India

Siemens Ltd has invested Rs275 crore for capacity expansion at its steam turbine manufacturing facility at Vadodara, Gujarat. The expansion programme scheduled to be complete by 2010 will triple the manufacturing capacity at the factory.

Siemens has invested Rs30 crore to set up a modern, world-class steam turbine factory at Vadodara, which was operational in January 2007. The setting up of a greenfield factory was announced by the company in 2006 in its 50 years of manufacturing presence in India.

Spread over an area of 60,000 square meters, the factory currently manufactures single stage and multi stage steam turbines up to 45MW for industrial applications. The facility, conforming to international standards, has established this facility as a 'centre of competence' for smaller steam turbines. The smaller turbines up to 15MW are sourced from this factory by Siemens AG to cater to its requirements in Asia, Africa and even to European markets in the future. 

The expansion programme will add three production bays amounting to 14,000 sq mt to the existing production facility and the factory will have the capacity to manufacture steam turbines of up to 100MW. In addition to the domestic market, the factory will be able to strengthen its export business to Asia, Africa and Europe. The expansion programme at the factory will provide additional employment to about 200 people. 

''With our commitment to partner the power sector development in India, we have continued with our investment plans even in the prevailing economic environment. We remain optimistic about the long term business potential in the country and it is, therefore, imperative to continue building on our strengths locally,'' said Armin Bruck, managing director, Siemens Ltd.

''We have established our competence in the manufacturing of smaller steam turbine in a short span of two years and this has given us the confidence to expand. Now, with three times the capacity and ability to manufacture steam turbine up to 100MW locally, we will be in a better position to cater to broader requirement of our customers,''  he added.

Siemens in India, which comprises 20 legal entities, is a leading provider of industry and infrastructure solutions with a business volume aggregating about Rs11,800 crore. It operates in the core business areas of Industry, energy and healthcare. With nation-wide sales and service network, 19 manufacturing plants and a network of around 500 channel partners, the company employs about 17,200 people.