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| G.K. Pillai: New avenues |
Ranchi, Jan. 1: Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited. Ranchi (HEC) has resolved to forge into new avenues of nuclear and thermal power, setting itself ambitious goals to tide over the economic downturn that threatens to loom over the New Year.
The move, explained CMD G.K.Pillai, was to offset the temporary glut in the steel sector which was the PSU’s area of core competence. “We have invited the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, to visit HEC in January and assess our capabilities in contributing to the nuclear energy sector,” he told The Telegraph recently.
HEC has been supplying special forgings and spares for nuclear reactors manufactured by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. But come 2009, it wants to diversify into the nuclear power segment in a big way.
Pillai said HEC, which was already scouting for an international partner to equip itself to adapt to the challenge quickly and in a big way, wanted to tie up with the Atomic Energy Commission to manufacture vital equipment and spares for the country’s nuclear energy programme.
For the thermal power segment, the HEC CMD said work was on in full swing for the launch of a new company — a 50:50 joint venture with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, (BHEL) with whom an MOU was signed in September. The new company would manufacture and supply castings and forgings for BHEL manufactured power plant equipment.
As a part of the MoU, two separate committees have been formed by the two PSUs to get cracking on the JV. HEC was also appointing valuators for its foundry and forge plant to guide it on the extent of modernisation and renovation needed to meet BHEL’s requirements.
Pillai also revealed that HEC was in the process of joining hands with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for the manufacture of coal handling and ash handling plants.
“HEC already possesses expertise for the manufacture of coal handling plants. However, for the ash handling plant, HEC is looking for collaborative tie-ups with world leaders for technology transfers,” he added.
