First transformer to leave new Siemens factory in India
Erlangen, Germany, February 11, 2008
Siemens is continuing to expand its market position in India. Just recently, the first 100 MVA transformer left the new transformer factory of Siemens Energy in Kalwa, about 30 kilometers east of Mumbai on the west coast of India. This three-phase autotransformer will come into operation in the 220/110 kV transformer substation Bidnal at Hubli-Dharwad on the western edge of the Deccan Plateau. The customer is Larsen & Toubro, a large turnkey contractor in India, who is erecting the 220 kV substation for Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd., a southern utility in the state of Karnataka. Siemens inaugurated its new transformer factory – its first in India – near Mumbai in December 2007, largely to satisfy the increasing demand for power transformers in the newly industrializing country.
“The Indian market is the key to the growth of our global energy business,” said Dr. Udo Niehage, CEO of the Power Transmission Division in the Siemens Energy Sector. “The energy market in India is growing enormously, especially as a result of political reforms in the sector. Thanks to the new power transformer factory, we now have a local base for delivering the same level of reliability and quality that customers throughout the world expect from us,” stated Niehage.
Unlike in Europe, autotransformers are preferred for use in high-voltage networks in India. Since the high-voltage and low-voltage windings in an autotransformer share a common portion of the same winding, material costs can be saved.
The planning and construction of the Kalwa factory took two years. The factory covers an area of more than 40,000 square meters. In the first stage, the factory will produce power transformers up to 400 MVA and 500 kV, and later even up to 650 MVA and 765 kV – corresponding to an annual production capacity of 15,000 MVA. A total of 500 people will be employed there in supplying transformers for India’s fast-growing power infrastructure. Experienced engineers from Europe played an important part in building the factory. Thanks to the cooperation between them and local employees, the transformers from the Indian factory satisfy the very highest quality standards.
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2007 (ended September 30, based on IFRS), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR20 billion and received new orders totaling around EUR28 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.8 billion. The Energy Sector had a work force of 73,500 at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.
Reference Number: EPT200802.008 e