Areva T&D draws up Rs 500-cr capex plan
The company's focus is to increase the market share in the transmission and distribution sector.
In next three years, the company wants to increase its market share by another 20 per cent from on the current share of 15 per cent,
Rahul Wadke
Mumbai, Aug 3 Power equipment major Areva T&D India Ltd, part of the French nuclear giant Areva, has capex plans of Rs 500 crore for the current financial year. In the next financial year, it would be investing another Rs 200 crore.
The company is keen to expand its footprint in the rapidly expanding power transmission and distribution sector.
Talking to Business Line, Mr Y.C. Easwaramurthy, Deputy Regional Finance Director, Areva T&D India, said the company's focus is to increase the market share in the transmission and distribution sector. It has already made sizeable investment in scaling up its facilities. In next three years, the company wants to increase its market share by another 20 per cent fromthe current 15 per cent, he said.
He said that the company wants to further enhance the market share in products such as circuit breakers and voltage transformers, where it already has a leadership position.
Mega power projectsMr Karim Vissandjee, Chief Financial Officer, Areva T&D Global, said the company was bullish on the ultra mega power and transmission projects. It foresees good potential in transmission projects which deploy 760 KVA transmission lines and HVDC lines. "We are keen on ultra mega power projects as the future of stable power supply will depend on these power projects" he said.
He added that the mega projects could be facing problems in the short run but in the long run, the projects are here to stay.
Mr Vissandjee said the company is deploying more personnel from its offices in Europe and China so as to serve the India market which has a huge customer base. "We have decided to set up an engineering hub in India, which will understand the market needs. Currently, about 80 engineers are deployed in the R&D activity and by 2012, we plan to increase this figure to 400. Research expertise would be brought in for transformers and circuit breakers" he said.
Nuclear PowerOn the emerging opportunities in India's nuclear power sector, Mr Vissandjee said, "We are waiting for more political developments to take place in India. We are keenly waiting and watching the scenario. Globally, we are number one in nuclear energy field and if we want to continue that position, then, we will have be present in India."