Alstom T&D India to help harness hydropower potential of Himachal Pradesh

Alstom T&D India has been awarded a contract worth approximately 35 million (INR 277 million) by Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) to supply a 66 kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) in Urni, Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. The project aims to transmit power from new generation sources into the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, paving the way towards harnessing 23,000 MW of hydro power potential in the state.  

The project scope includes design, engineering, manufacture, supply, testing, and commissioning of the 66 kV GIS, substation automation and control system. All equipment will be produced by Alstoms state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across India.

Himachal Pradesh, a mountainous state with five major rivers flowing through from the western Himalayas, is abundant in water resources. To harness the hydropower potential requires a reliable means to transmit the power to the end-consumer, without destabilising the network from power overload. Alstoms new GIS in Urni will draw in the power from new generation sources, including hydropower, before transmitting into the grid.

Rathin Basu, Managing Director, Alstom T&D India says, This second GIS contract with HPPTCL, following the one awarded in 2013, confirms HPPTCLs confidence in Alstoms industrial expertise. Alstom has been localising GIS manufacturing activity in India since 2009 in Padappai near Chennai, and currently leads the GIS market in India. To date, Alstom has supplied approximately 700 GIS bays in the country, covering a range of voltages from 66kV to 400kV. 

GIS is the preferred technology for hydropower plants, difficult terrains such as mountains, coastal areas and cities. Its compact and enclosed design makes it ideal for smaller footprint and low maintenance applications. It is well-adapted for areas where space is scarce, such as cities and regions where cost of land is high. 

About Alstom 

Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs 93,000 people in around 100 countries. It had sales of over 20 billion and booked 21.5 billion in orders in 2013/14. 

Alstom T&D India (globally known as Alstom Grid), is a market leader in the Indian power transmission sector. It has over 100 years of expertise in building the transmission infrastructure for the country. Alstom has a strong portfolio of products, solutions and services, comprising the entire range of transmission equipment up to Extra and Ultra High Voltages (765 kV and beyond) including air-insulated switchgear (AIS) and locally manufactured power transformers and gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). It also provides power electronics solutions (HVDC, FACTS) to create super highways and offers highly advanced power management Smart Grid solutions for transmission and distribution including renewable energies integration. With over 3,500 employees and eight world class manufacturing units, Alstom T&D India is future ready to support the rapidly evolving transmission sector in India. 

Press Contacts 

Sapna Lalwani (Alstom T&D India) Tel: +91 911204731676;  sapna.lalwani@alstom.com
Aline Besselièvre (Alstom Grid) Tel: +33 1 49 01 67 60; aline.besselievre@alstom.com 
Elizabeth Wang (Alstom Grid) Tel: +33 1 49 01 61 23; elizabeth.wang-ext@alstom.com

Websites: www.alstom.com; www.alstom.com/grid