OREANDA-NEWS. July 02, 2012. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved yet another significant landmark by securing a major contract for the electro-mechanical equipment package for a 1,020 MW (6x170 MW) Hydroelectric project in Bhutan.

Valued at Rs.9,500 Million, the order envisages manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the electro-mechanical equipment for the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric project.

The order has been placed on BHEL by Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA), Bhutan. Significantly, BHEL is also currently executing the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project in Bhutan and the present contract reflects the customer's confidence in BHEL's technological excellence and capabilities in the execution of power projects of this magnitude.

The project is being set-up under a bilateral agreement between the Government of India, and the Royal Government of Bhutan. Located around 80 Km from Thimphu on the bank of the Punathsangchu River in Western Bhutan, the project is an environment friendly run-of-the-river scheme.

Bhutan is one of the key export territories of BHEL, where it has a predominant presence since the last 25 years in the power generation segment. The company has successfully executed three Hydro Projects in , viz., 336 MW Chukha, 60 MW Kurichu and 1,020 MW Tala in Bhutan. These projects today account for nearly 95% of the total power generating capacity in Bhutan which is a testimony of BHEL’s strong presence and acceptability. As a result of the installation of these power projects, hydro power is today the single biggest revenue earner of Bhutan.

For this contract, the six Francis Turbines and Generators of 170 MW each and associated equipment will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL’s Bhopal facility while the Control system will be manufactured and supplied by BHEL’s Electronic Division at Bangalore.

BHEL’s globalisation strategy is already yielding rich dividends and the company has established its footprints in six continents of the world spanning over 75 countries. In the hydro sector also, its technical competence has earned worldwide acclaim, with overseas references encompassing projects in many countries including Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, DR Congo, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. This contract will further strengthen BHEL’s presence in the overseas Hydro business segment.