Alstom may tie up with BHEL to manufacture locomotives

French power equipment maker Alstom may tie-up with state-owned BHEL for manufacturing locomotives for Indian railways.

"For refurbishment or new loco projects we intend to go with a local partner," Alstom Chairman and CEO Patrick Kron told reporters here.

On being asked whether the company is looking to tie-up with BHEL for the same, Kron said, "It (BHEL) is the only one in the business then why ask, but I am not naming any company."

The company has already signed an agreement with BHEL and Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) for setting up nuclear power projects in India.

If the locomotive joint venture (JV) goes through it would be the French company's second JV with BHEL.

French firm would also set up a wind power equipment manufacturing facility in India.

However, Kron did not divulge the companies it is in talks with for the wind power manufacturing unit and neither the location of the proposed facility.

"We are looking at considering a possibility to build wind power equipment manufacturing unit here," Kron said adding, "We are already manufacturing 1.6-3 MW onshore wind turbine and we have a manufacturing facility in the US."

The company may join hands with a partner for setting up this manufacturing facility.

"We are going to do this in a classic way either by ourself or we will partner with anyone," he said.

Alstom is building a manufacturing unit in Chennai to supply coaches for the Chennai Metro, which would be commissioned in the next two years.

"Chennai manufacturing facility would be completed by early 2013," he added.

Alstom completed its 100 year in India this year and is hopeful of another glorious 100 years here in India, Kron said.

"We have competition, we have opportunities, in the next 100 years we are going to generate more opportunities than the previous 100 years," he said.