The government today said it has granted Maharatna status to Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL). With Maharatna status, the two public sector enterprises would have more operational freedom for carrying out activities in the country as well as overseas. Maharatna scheme is aimed at giving enhanced powers to the boards of identified large-sized Navratna Central Public S ...

Singareni Collieries are responsible for the bulk of coal production from the resource rich Godavri Valley and subsequent supply to a vast number of power plants in India, but they have had major struggles with strikes, environmental clearance and financing. This difficult situation could be about to change as they are now looking at tying up with state-run power and mineral companies to take up mining proj ...

Minister of State for Electricity and Water Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hussein bin Ali Mirza, received in his office at the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA)'s premises, the Chairman of Sasakura Engineering Co. (Japan-Inc.), Mr. Toshihiko Sasakura, and his accompanying delegation. The Japanese firm specializes in water desalination projects in Japan. The Minister initiated proceedings by welcoming Mr. Toshihiko ...

Laos has signed a 32-year land lease with investors to develop the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric project in the south of the country to supply electricity to Thailand. Laos Deputy Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Akhom Tounalom signed the agreement with the chief executive officer of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Co, Young-Ju Choi, in Vientiane on Friday. Construction of the project in Attapeu ...

Dhaka and New Delhi have agreed in principle to set up hydro-power plants in India’s north-eastern states under joint-venture initiatives as the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company that was organzined for the installation of a 1,320MW coal-fired plant at Bagerhat in Bangladesh. Both Bangladesh and India could share the hydro-electricity that would be produced, officials said. The steering committee on ...

The Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi, last week told power companies to embrace the government-led reforms to the industry, as utilities brace themselves for significant changes in the market restructuring. The first face-to-face meeting between an industry minister and top power industry officials since December 2010 came as the government gears up for a reform that encom ...

Alstom, in consortium with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan, has been awarded an EPC contract by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to build the 850 MW North Bangkok combined-cycle power plant (CCPP) block 2 and supply its equipment. Alstom’s share in this contract amounts to approximately €225 million. The contract was signed today in presence of Patrick Kron, Alstom’s CEO. Located in the nor ...

Suzlon Energy Ltd., India’s largest wind-turbine maker, received approval to put 66 units of its 2.1-megawatt turbine at the Cookhouse wind farm in South Africa. Suzlon, based in Pune, India, was selected to develop the project in the first round of renewable energy auctions held by the African nation in 2011, it said in a statement to stock exchanges today. The company, which said its lead bankers for the ...

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., the world’s third-largest shipbuilder by revenue, said it will supply South Korea with 10 wind power turbines this year. Daewoo will supply the 2-megawatt capacity turbines to a joint venture with Korea East-West Power Co. The turbines will go to a wind farm project in Younggwang, southwest of Seoul, the company said in a statement. The project will generate e ...

China’s Suntech Power Holdings Co. plans to establish a solar panel factory in Uzbekistan, according to data published by the republic’s economics ministry on Monday. Suntech and Uzbekistan’s state energy company Uzbekenergo have signed a memorandum on setting up the $10 million joint venture for the project, to be set up in the Navoiy free industrial and economic zone, the ministry said, but did not clarif ...