Lanco Infratech Limited, a private business conglomerate based in India, has awarded Alstom Hydro a contract to equip a major new hydropower plant on the Teesta River in India’s Sikkim region.
Under the contract, worth around EUR40 million, Alstom will design, engineer, install and commission the main equipment for the 500 MW plant, which will supply electricity to Maharashtra state. It is scheduled for completion by 2013.
The river Teesta is fed by the snow and glaciers of Kanchenjungha and the Himalayas, originating in north Sikkim at 8400 m above sea level. As a major river flowing through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh, it is an ideal source for hydropower generation, says Alstom.
“This order consolidates Alstom’s position in India’s yydro sector as we are able to execute the whole project locally, where our customers are,” said Philippe Cochet, President of Alstom Hydro. “Alstom has already installed nearly 6000 MW of the country’s hydro capacity of almost 37 000 MW and is currently building turbines and generators that will provide for as much as an additional 3 GW.”
Under its contract, Alstom will supply four 125 MW Francis turbines and generators, as well as the main inlet valves and control and protection systems. The order will be fully executed by Alstom’s hydro facility in Vadodara, India.
Among the hydropower plants Alstom is currently installing in India are Lower Jurala (6 x 40 MW Bulb & generators), Chamera (3 x 77 MW Francis and generators), Uri-II (4 x 60 MW Francis), Chuzachen (2 x 55 MW Francis) and Subansiri (8 x 250 MW Francis and generators).
