December 03, 2008

Hitachi and Sumitomo to upgrade Bhakra Beas power plant

Sumitomo Corporation and Hitachi Ltd have secured a lump sum contract worth approximately JPY 9 billion from Bhakra Beas Management Board to supply, replace, install and or renovate the major plant components of the Bhakra Left Bank Power House in January 2008.

Bhakra Left Bank Power House has a total capacity of 540 MW from 108 MW x 5 water turbines and generator units. The power house is located within the Bhakra ravine region in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the north of India.

The existing power house consists of water turbines built by Hitachi, Ltd and generators manufactured in England. 46 years after the commencement of operations, the aged equipment is now in need of renovation and must be upgraded to meet the increasing demand for electric power.

In order to support this project, Sumitomo Corporation has formed a project consortium with Hitachi Ltd and VA Tech Hydro of Austria, which will complete the renovation contract by the end of 2012. Of the major pieces of equipment, the water turbines and the generators will be manufactured, delivered to the site and installed by Hitachi Ltd and VA Tech Hydro respectively.

Under the contract the capacity will be increased to 630 MW comprising of 126 MW x 5 water turbines and generator units.