The public sector Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Power Sector Southern Region (PSSR) is planning to invest around Rs 80 crore in 2009-10 in new equipment, said PR Shriram, executive director, BHEL PSSR.
In 2008-09, the region invested Rs 39 crore, he told reporters here on Monday.
The PSSR, which includes the states of Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa, has also set a target to add 4,500 Mw to various grids during the current fiscal.
During 2008-09, the region reported a 27 per cent drop in profit before tax at Rs 70 crore, as compared with Rs 96 crore, a year ago. However, turnover was up 60 per cent to Rs 1,000 crore from Rs 628 crore.
Shriram attributed the drop to increase in raw material prices and wage revision. For example, steel, a major input material, which cost around Rs 38,000 per tonne during the beginning of 2008 rose to Rs 65,000 in June/July .
The region has an order book of Rs 4,222 crore.
