Alstom and NASL to retrofit steam turbines at Ukai and Wanakbori power stations

The retrofits will increase turbine efficiency by 14% from the existing operating conditions and thereby reduce coal consumption and CO2 emissions

State owned-Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) has awarded a contract worth approximately Rs 206.7 crores to Alstom and NASL, the joint venture between Alstom India Limited and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), to renovate and modernise two steam turbines at the Ukai and Wanakbori thermal power stations in Gujarat, a statement issued by Alstom India Limited said here on Wednesday.

Alstom, the statement added, will perform full shaft line retrofits of the 200 MW BHEL-supplied LMZ design steam turbines at unit-IV of the 1,350 Mega Watt (Mw) Ukai power station and unit-III of the 1,470 Mw Wanakbori power station.

In a BSE filing, Alstom India Limited said, "Out of the entire aforesaid contract, Alstom India Limited's scope of work would be approximately Rs 150.3 crore."

The retrofits, the statement pointed out, will increase turbine efficiency by around 14 per cent from the existing operating conditions and thereby reduce coal consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The statement further said that the scope of each project includes engineering, supply, erection, commissioning and testing. Equipment will be manufactured at Alstom's facilities in India and Poland, the statement said, while the projects are scheduled to be commissioned in 2017.

Commenting on this contract, Patrick Ledermann, managing director, Alstom India Limited, said, "This contract clearly demonstrates the customer's confidence in Alstom's leading retrofit solutions. Improving efficiency of ageing coal power plants not only boosts the competitiveness of these units, but because coal is the largest fuel in India, is also key to limiting climate change."

There are more than 50 similar, BHEL-supplied LMZ design, 200/210 Mw steam turbine units in India that can benefit from modernisation. NASL is a 50:50 joint venture between NTPC Ltd and Alstom established in 1999 for undertaking renovation and modernisation of power plants in India. Alstom is a leader in power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure present in India since 1911.