Alstom to double steam turbine servicing capacity

Alstom Power Service, a product and service provider to power generation industry, is doubling its service capacity of thermal turbines and generators at its Vadodara facility.

The company, presently, is able to handle servicing of 5-6 turbines of leading power generation companies at a time. Alstom Power Service, through the expansion, will be able to handle 10-12 turbines at a time.

According to Sunand Sharma, Country President, the company will also be the first in private sector to service turbines of a speed of up to 14,000 RPM. "Only BHEL currently has such a capacity in the country," added Sharma.

"The servicing facility will be able to handle turbines used for any purpose, be it nuclear, coal or gas. After expanding this facility for thermal equipment like turbines and generators in the power generation industry, we will be expanding our hydro mechanical equipment manufacturing facility at Vadodara," informed Sharma, adding that Vadodara is a strong technical hub for Alstom Power Service in India.

Refusing to divulge details on investment and revenue expectations, Sharma said that unlike turbine and generator servicing facility, the hydro power equipment manufacturing facility will only be expanded by 30 per cent.

The company is a front-runner in bidding for the upcoming metro-rail projects in the country. "Currently we provide signalling facilities for metro-rail in Delhi. Even in future, we will be bidding for the upcoming projects in other states," said Sharma.

Alstom Power Service is part of Alstom Projects India Ltd. (APIL), a majority owned subsidiary of Alstom SA France - a global player in power generation and rail infrastructure. APIL has a turnover of around Rs 1,200 crore.