Crompton Greaves ships first lot of 500 kV transformers from Indonesian plant

Gautam Thapar-led Avantha Group's power equipment manufacturer Crompton Greaves (CG) said it today flagged off its first batch of 500 kV transformers from its Indonesian transformer manufacturing facility located in the industrial area of Cileungsi, Bogor.

It said the 500kV transformers are the largest rating ever produced in Indonesia and the ASEAN region.

CG is the first company in South East Asia to design, manufacture and test 500kV transformers locally.

The 550 kV technologies for this facility have been brought in from CG's Belgian facility and the facility is equipped to design, manufacture and test transformers up to 550 kV class locally in Indonesia.

Laurent Demortier, CG's chief executive and managing director, said, "CG has been manufacturing power transformers in Indonesia since 1991. The plant has been expanded to produce 10,000 MVA per year. "

The largest rating of the transformer manufactured here is 500MVA and 550kV class.

CG's Indonesian manufacturing and testing facility will now be used to strengthen Indonesian government-owned electricity utility monopoly's PT PLN's transmission network,  reducing its dependence on imports.

In addition to the manufacturing capability, CG has invested more than $15 million to build a 550 kV extra high voltage (EHV) test lab in the ountry that is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment mostly from Europe and America.