Pratt & Whitney To Sell Engines To Mini Power Units

Pratt & Whitney, the US-based aero-engine manufacturing major, is planning to tap the small-scale power projects in India where its range of aircraft engines could be used to power gas turbines at small and mini power plants.

The company is primarily eyeing power projects of the size 250 kw-50 mw, including captive plants and regional projects.

The multinational is also planning to offer 'mobile power plants', for construction and other projects with power requirements over only a short duration of time.

Further, International Fuel Cells, Pratt & Whitney's sister company from the $26.6-billion United Technologies Corporation group, is planning to market its fuel cells in the range 50-200 kw for commercial and industrial applications.

Sunder Venkat, director and general manager of United Technologies said: "With a few modifications, our aircraft engines can be used to run gas turbines for smaller power projects. We are looking at offering mobile power solutions for projects requiring power for short durations. We are planning to provide cost-effective power solutions for commercial establishments by marketing our fuel cells from International Fuel Cells."

Pratt & Whitney is hopeful that there will be a boom in small and mini power projects in the country, following the cloud over ongoing mega power projects like Dabhol, Reliance's Bhadravati and Hindujas' Vizag projects.

Analysts tracking the power sector, however, believe that small scale power projects may not be cost-effective for commercial production, due to high input costs and lack of "scale of operations".

Among its other initiatives, United Technologies is bringing to India its auxiliary power units and electrical engine controls from Hamilton Sundstrand, another group company.

United Technologies Corporation, which recently set up an office in the country as part of its strategy to increase presence in the Asia-Pacific region, had recorded revenues of $149.5 million in 1999. Carrier Aircon, the market leader in the air-conditioning sector and Otis, the elevator manufacturer, are the other companies under its fold.