Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Toshiba Corporation of Japan have signed MoU to explore the possibility of forming a Joint Venture Company to address Transmission and Distribution business in India and other mutually agreed countries.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh union minister of heavy industries and public enterprises, Government of India; Dr Satyanarayana Dash secretary, department of heavy industry, ministry of heavy industries & public enterprises and other dignitaries. Mr BP Rao chairman & MD of BHEL and Mr Hideo Kitamura corporate executive VP of Toshiba Corporation signed the MoU.

Directors on the board of BHEL as well as other senior officials of the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, esteemed customers, BHEL and Toshiba Corporation, were also present on the occasion.

The JVC of BHEL and Toshiba plans to undertake business of equipment and projects in Extra High Voltage Alternating Current and Ultra High Voltage Alternating Current range including 765 kV transformers and reactors and Gas Insulated Switchgear in addition to other products and systems.

The JV shall receive technologies for the equipment and systems from Toshiba and also BHEL including technology for 765 kV, UHVAC and GIS. The JVC is contemplated to be a leading company for all high tech products and projects including 765 kV systems and above. Significantly, the JV shall bridge the gap in the present offerings from BHEL for 765 kV transmission systems and GIS, for which there is a huge and growing requirement in the country.