Global conglomerate GE is planning to expand its manufacturing unit at Chakan near Pune. The company is also considering setting up new plants in India, said GE Vice-Chairman John Rice on Friday.

He was interacting with the media on the sidelines of a public private partnership (PPP) initiative with the Maharashtra Government for rural healthcare infrastructure.

At Chakan, the company has invested over $200 million for manufacturing wind turbines and aircraft engines. The 68-acre facility is being developed in phases. It is one of the largest manufacturing facilities outside the US.

Rice said the company has been very successful in manufacturing engineering products at Chakan. Therefore, it could consider setting up manufacturing lines for other businesses of GE. In India, the company is looking for more manufacturing opportunities in healthcare, engineering and affordable power generation equipment sector.

New opportunities

On the issue of slump in power equipment sector in India, Rice said the Centre needs to take a decision on the revised price of natural gas, until then, it would be difficult to work on big projects. On the other hand, GE would be looking at new opportunities in wind and small power plants based on renewable fuels, some of which would be based on agriculture waste.

He said the small plants can be put up in rural and remote areas of India. Until the Centre takes a decision on natural gas pricing, these small plants will keep the orders flowing.

He said that Maharashtra offers a range of opportunities for investment. The present PPP with the Maharashtra Government is an opportunity for GE to showcase its technology.

>rahul.wadke@thehindu.co.in

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