BHELSIA to use generator sets to tide over power cuts

Tiruchjirapalli, Apr 7 : The BHEL Small Scale Industries Association (BHELSIA) here has decided to tide over the power shortage by using diesel generator sets, in order to meet out the target set by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), here, to fabricate 4.75 lakh tonnes of components in the current fiscal, according to BHELSIA President Rajappa Rajkumar.

In a press release here today, he said at a time when BHEL was able to identify strong sub-contractors in away centres, the BHELSIA, in its keenness to tap the business opportunity maximum, had decided to accelerate use of generator sets for the three-hour duration of power cut administered by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.

He said at present diesel sets generating nearly 20,000 KV were being utilised by nearly 100 vendors, and the usage would be further increased by another 4,000 KV.

A loan mela would be conducted during this month to facilitate purchase of diesel generator sets of capacities ranging from 125 KV to 200 KV by 30 to 40 fabrication units, he added.

He said they would negotiate the purchase on behalf of individual vendors.

Though the cost worked out to Rs 17 per unit, usage of diesel generator sets was the only alternative for them to fulfil the heavy outsourcing orders, he added.

The BHELSIA increased its capacity to fabricate 3.09 lakh tonnes of components during 2009-10 from the previous year's 2.85 lakh tonnes. BHEL had plans to outsource 1.4 lakh tonnes to away centre vendors during 2010-11, he said.

He said they already had made a representation to the State Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, who was holding industries portfolio, to reduce the power cut timings in the interests of sub-contractors.