Thermax inks JV with US firm to make super-critical boilers

Thermax today announced a joint venture (JV) with US-based Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group to manufacture super-critical boilers in the country.

“The total investment in the JV is estimated at Rs 700 crore,” Thermax CMD M S Unnikrishnan said.

“Thermax will own 51 per cent stake in the JV, while the remaining 49 per cent will be held by the US partner,” Unnikrishnan said, adding funding will be managed through internal accruals.

Apart from supercritical boilers, the new company will also manufacture sub-critical boilers over 300 Mw, said Unnikrishnan.

Sub-critical boilers have 36-38 per cent efficiency in converting steam into energy, while super-critical boilers have 40-42 per cent efficiency in conversion. Sub-critical boilers range from 150-800 Mw. At present, only two types of super-critical models are available in the country — 660 Mw and 800 Mw.