ABFPL's new turbine & generator production facility commences operations in Sanand

Alstom Bharat Forge Power Ltd (ABFPL), a joint venture between Alstom and Bharat Forge Ltd., has commenced production at its new manufacturing facility for making super-critical turbines and generators at Sanand in Gujarat.

The site boasts an annual capacity of 4,000 mega watt (Mw), producing equipment for several major power projects in India. Today, the factory employs more than 250 highly skilled manpower and plans are afoot to ramp it up to 650 in the near future.

“The commencement of operations of the facility in Gujarat is the first of many milestones for the JV and we believe it will be a cornerstone in the “Make in India” initiative of the Government of India. It reaffirms our commitment to strengthening India’s infrastructure backbone in the years ahead,” said Baba Kalyani, chairman and managing director of Bharat Forge.

The joint venture company has invested Rs 1,350 crore in the Sanand facility. Alstom owns 51 per cent stake in the JV while Bharat Forge owns 49 per cent. The first production from the new plant will be related to major power projects in India with the first deliveries planned in the current calendar year.

Alain Spohr, CEO and managing director, Alstom-Bharat Forge Power Ltd said, "The company is excited about the growth opportunities enabled by the opening of this state-of-the-art facility as it provides an indication to the next wave of growth driven by the increased focus on infrastructure development in the country."

An extensive training and knowledge transfer programme has been initiated to equip employees with the latest technological capabilities and expertise and implement the most stringent environment, health and safety standards (EHS), said the company in a press release.

The main orders for machine tools for this manufacturing facility have already been placed and the construction is on-going, the release said, adding that the company manufactures 300-800 Mw sub-critical and super-critical equipment with an annual capacity of 4,000 Mw.