Hitachi Ltd and SFO Technologies Pvt Ltd, a NeST group company, have announced today that they will set up a joint venture company in the field of advanced control systems for thermal power plants.

The joint venture company, Hitachi NeST Control Systems Pvt Ltd is likely to be set up this month and will be based in Bangalore.

Hitachi India Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, will hold 70 per cent stake in the joint venture and SFO Technologies will hold the balance, Mr N.Jehangir, Managing Director, SFO Technologies, said.

Hitachi and SFO Technologies will promote to expand its control systems businesses in India. This will be achieved by converging the strengths of each company — Hitachi’s leading edge control technologies, advanced manufacturing technologies, wealth of experience and expertise in plant control systems and SFO Technologies’ 10 years experience in control systems and its skilled employees, as well as its nationwide sales and service network in India.

Hitachi NeST Control Systems Pvt Ltd is targeting sales of around Rs 150 crore by March 2015, he said.

According to Mr Jehangir, the market for information and control systems for social infrastructure is expected to grow as the economy grows in India. Power is a critical infrastructure on which socio-economic development of the country depends.

India is expected to add 200 GW in the next 10 years. Major portion of the investment would be in thermal power plants especially in large sized supercritical units. Hitachi has made significant investments in India, including BGR Energy Systems Ltd, to manufacture super-critical turbines, generators and boilers in Chennai.

The joint venture company will provide engineering, manufacturing, commissioning and after-service advanced control systems for thermal power plants.

Hitachi has been using SFO Technologies’ engineering services in thermal power control systems for the last 10 years for projects both in India and abroad.

In the joint venture, Hitachi will bring in advanced control technology for thermal power plants.

SFO Technologies will synergise its control systems division, which has 10 years’ experience, with the new joint venture company and offer its manufacturing space and expertise in Bangalore for localising the technology in India, he said.

comment COMMENT NOW