Alstom and Bharat Forge begin Mundra plant construction

Global power systems manufacturer Alstom and Bharat Forge today laid the foundation stone for their new power equipment manufacturing plant at Mundra in coastal Gujarat.

This follows their agreement in November 2008 to set up a joint venture for power plant equipment manufacturing (See: Bharat Forge plans joint venture with Alstom group).

To begin with, the plant will manufacture 300-800 MW subcritical and supercritical equipments with an annual capacity of 5000 MW. In the future, the JV will also explore possibilities of manufacturing turbines and generators for gas-based plants and nuclear applications.

Speaking on the occasion, B N Kalyani, chairman and managing director, Bharat Forge Ltd, said, "We are delighted to be partnering with Alstom - a global leader in high technology power equipment manufacturing. Together, we are committed to deliver advanced class power equipment to support a robust expansion of India's power sector, critical for double digit growth of the economy."

The arrangement between Alstom and Bharat Forge involves setting up of two joint venture companies - one for manufacturing of steam turbine and generators and the other for manufacturing of all the auxiliaries.

Guy Chardon, senior vice president, Alstom Power Thermal Products, said, "The Alstom Bharat Forge partnership paves the way for making India a hub for advanced power equipment manufacturing. Both organisations are committed to use their trans-continental strengths and world-class capabilities to deliver an array of advanced class generating equipment in sub and supercritical ranges in India, setting global benchmarks in reliability and efficiency."