Areva begins work on new facility near Chennai

Chennai: Areva T&D has started work on setting up a large capacity, high voltage circuit breaker manufacturing facility near Chennai.

The facility at Padappai to the south of Chennai, where it will make circuit breakers up to a capacity of 1,200 kV, is an expansion of its Perungudi plant in Chennai. The company recently announced plans to set up a transformer factory at Hosur. The company is gearing up to meet the emerging demand for extra high voltage transmission network of 765 kV.

The Padappai facility is expected to start production from January 2009. It will make high voltage circuit breakers up to a capacity of 765 kV and disconnecters. It will be equipped to expand the product portfolio up to 1,200 kV circuit breakers. The company will be among the first to make gas insulated switchgear products in India.

Investment plans


The release which quoted Mr Philippe Guillemot, Chairman & CEO, Areva T&D, said the company has plans to invest over Rs 100 crore in the new unit and the capacity would also be doubled.