GE Power India plans to invest in and expand its products and services portfolio in India over the next three years and will also use its manufacturing units for exporting to other countries, according to a story in India’s Economic Times. GE was among the companies that set up manufacturing units for key components like the boilers and turbine generators for coal-based power generation units.
“The coal market for sure is not growing but decreasing; nevertheless, there is an opportunity for us as plants need to upgrade to different environmental specifications. Half of our sales come from services and we are growing this part of the business and providing solutions for improving efficiency of the power plant and reduce emissions,” said Kevin Cogo, General Manager (rotating equipment for steam power systems).
Responding to the changing market, GE Power India aims to add new offering in its portfolio at its Sanand unit in Gujarat for nuclear power turbines and generators, industrial applications, reverse engineering, and beef up its operations and maintenance services. The Sanand facility, which was set up with an investment of $200 million, currently has its capacity fully utilized but going ahead it will also service the parent company’s international orders. The company is in talks with Adani Power and Jindal Power to provide services for their projects.
“Fossil was on backburner due to stressed assets and projects not materializing. Hopefully, that will change now. The government’s policy on cutting emissions from fossil fuel-based plants was a big positive for us; in that segment, we have a 27% share and 25 gigawatts of emission projects,” said Prashant Jain, managing director of GE Power’s India operations.
Indian government’s policy for cutting emissions have come as a shot in the arm for thermal power equipment makers like GE, and Larsen & Toubro as orders for new units had dried up.