Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has secured two renovation and modernization (R&M) contracts of hydroelectric plants (HEPs).
Against stiff international competition, the company won prestigious orders worth around Rs 430 crore for the R&M of the 6×60 MW Balimela HEP of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Limited (OHPC) and the 3×60 MW Bairasiul HEP of National Hydro Power Corporation Limited (NHPC).
The units at both Balimela and Bairasiul have been in operation for over 35 years and the R&M of these units will result in restoration of output capacity, improvement in efficiency and reduction in auxiliary power consumption, in addition to leading to better plant availability.
BHEL’s scope of work includes design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, dismantling, erection, testing and commissioning of critical parts of turbines, generators, governors, controls & instrumentation, protection and balance of plant (BoP). Major equipment for these contracts will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL’s plants at Bhopal, Jhansi and Bengaluru.
The normal life expectancy of a hydroelectric plant is considered to be 30-35 years. In the present scenario, R&M and uprating of existing hydroelectric projects is considered to be the best option, as this is cost effective and requires much lesser time than setting up of Greenfield hydro power projects.