State-run power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) once again outbid Chinese companies in an international competitive bidding to secure contracts worth Rs3,150 crore in Madhya Pradesh

BHEL has won an order for the main plant package at the upcoming Malwa Thermal Power Project (TPP) in Madhya Pradesh, involving two new-rating units of 600 MW each.

The order for the greenfield power project has been placed by Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL).

This is the first order secured by BHEL for the new-rating units of 600 MW in Madhya Pradesh and the project will significantly augment the existing generating capacity in the state.

BHEL's scope of work in the contract includes design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of steam turbines, generators, boilers and associated auxiliaries, including transformers, busducts and state-of-the-art controls and instrumentation, in addition to civil works for the main power block.

While the first set is scheduled to go on stream in a tight schedule of 39 months, the second set will be commissioned in 43 months from the zero date of contract, the company said in a release.

BHEL has the technology for the manufacture of thermal sets up to 1,000 MW rating suited to Indian conditions using Indian as well as imported coal. The company has also introduced new rating thermal sets of 270 MW, 525 MW and 600 MW to meet customer demand.

It has already won orders for 85 units of 500-600 MW rating sets so far.

BHEL has built manufacturing capacity of up to 10,000 MW for meeting the power forecast for the 11th Plan and beyond. The company will enhance capacity further to 15,000 MW per annum by December 2009 and to 20,000 MW by December 2011.

Manpower is also being ramped up. Besides, the company has taken steps like shift in operational focus from product to project and implementation of effective project management systems.