Thursday, June 12, 2014: State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) should look into the prospect of entering the electricity generation business in the country, suggested Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Anant Geete. BHEL is a renowned manufacturer of solar equipments.
“The company has already made an entry into the area by setting up joint ventures with some state Gencos (generation companies).” BHEL chief B P Rao was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Geete has also urged BHEL to step up its act to face stiff competition from both domestic as well as overseas companies in the days to come. “In view of the slowdown in the power sector, the company can step up its activities in other areas like renewables, transportation, transmission and defence,” Geete said.
Earlier, BHEL along with five other PSUs had signed an initial agreement for setting up the world’s largest 4,000 MW ultra mega solar power project in the state of Rajasthan. Also, the company expanded its portfolio by becoming the first PSU here to manufacture solar wafers. “We have taken board approval to manufacture solar wafers and are looking at viability gap funding support from the clean energy fund.” Rao had informed. The plant is situated in Sakoli, Maharashtra. It will start manufacturing solar wafers along with the PV cells, modules and solar panels. BHEL has invested a massive amount of Rs 30 billion in the venture.
