The Hindu Business Line : Start third shift to meet demand, BHEL told

Mejia (West Bengal) June 19 Power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) may increase its generation equipment manufacturing capacity by 50 per cent from by running the facility for an additional shift.

BHEL currently manufactures equipment capable to generate 7,000 MW power annually. An additional shift would take the annual capacity to 10,500 MW.

The Union Power Minister, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, told newspersons that the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has recently met BHEL officials to examine the supply situation of power equipment.

"The Prime Minister took stock of current situation of BHEL's capability to support the Government's target of adding 78,000 MW by March 2012. The biggest hurdle in meeting the target is supply of plant and equipment," Mr Shinde said.

"We have asked BHEL to enhance its production capacity so that they can help in meeting the target for the Plan - XI period. We have asked BHEL to start the third shift as an immediate measure to cope with the power sector's demand for equipment," he said

Ultra mega projects

On ultra mega power projects, Mr Shinde said that two more projects Tilaiya in Jharkhand and Krishnapatanam in Andhra Pradesh will be awarded by the year-end. There will be no change in the bidding criteria despite the recent development over awarding the Sasan ultra mega power project to Lanco.

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