The Bhopal unit of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) has plans to develop 765 kv (kilo voltage) substations for the first time in the country by using sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas insulation. | |
| Though the technology is not new, no Indian company has the capacity to manufacture higher capacity transformers using this technology. |
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| The company will use gas insulated substations technology for the higher capacity transformers. |
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| The Navratna company unit also has plans to enhance its capacity to manufacture 30,000 mva transformers from the existing 15,000 mva. |
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| Conventional high-voltage transformers use atmospheric air as the main dielectric that cannot satisfy various requirements like reduced maintenance, effective protection against atmospheric pollution, noiseless operation, minimum radio interference and non-flammability etc. |
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| Last year, ABB had reportedly bagged an order from Power Grid Corporation Ltd for supplying extra-high-voltage transformers (400 kv) and shunt reactors to be installed at Seoni substation in Madhya Pradesh to transmit power from the new 3,000 Mw Sipat (Chhattisgarh) power plant. |
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| Higher capacity transformers will reduce the transmission cost in various sectors, including the railways. Currently, the Indian power sector uses 220 kv substations in absence of availability of high voltage transmission cables. |
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| Recently Madhya Pradesh based MP Birla group's Universal Cables Ltd has set up a unit to manufacture XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) cables for 400 kv power transmission. At present, India imports high capacity transmission cable. |
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| "A live model of 765 kv substation is ready and we are also working on 1200 kv transformers. We will be able to start production of 765 kv substations soon," RK Singh executive director, Bhel said. The Bhopal unit has earmarked an amount of Rs 160 crore for investment for increasing the capacity. |
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| Meanwhile, the Bhopal Unit of Bhel has projected a turnover of Rs 2,750 crore for next finance year against the existing Rs 2,286 crore. |
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| The profit before tax stood at Rs 414 crore while order inflow stood at Rs 2,751 crore, RK Singh, executive director of the unit, said. |
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