HIGHLIGHTS
1. BHEL has achieved a landmark in the high technology area of special ceramic disc insulators for + 500 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Systems. The disc insulators have been successfully developed at its Electroporcelain Division, Bangalore and have passed full series Type Tests recently at a reputed independent Test Laboratory – CESI, Italy, conforming to international standards.
2. The company has also developed eco-friendly Battery Powered Road Vehicles (BPRV) called "Electravan" to alleviate pollution from vehicular emissions. Twelve such vehicles have already been deployed by Agra Development Authority (ADA) for ferrying tourists from Agra Fort to the Taj Mahal, to protect this historic monument from environmental degradation. Order of 4 more such vehicles has been bagged by BHEL for Anna Zoological Park, Chennai.
3. BHEL signed a Technical Collaboration Agreement with Babcock Borsig Power GmbH, Germany to manufacture special state-of-the-art Boilers, "Once-Through Boilers" with super-critical parameters for higher efficiency, generating more power from same amount of fuel and reducing the emission of Pollutant greenhouse Gases (like CO2, Sox, Nox) and particulate matter.
4. The company has also signed another Technical Collaboration Agreement with Apparatebau Rothermuehle Brandt + Kritzler GmbH, Germany to manufacture State-of-the-art pollution control equipment called "Fabric Filters" which are highly efficient and can collect very fine particulate matter from Flue Gases.
5. BHEL has bagged the following major orders against fierce competition :
(a) Contract worth Rs.255 cr. from Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) for manufacture and supply of Gas Turbine (Fr. 6FA) against stiff competition from leading Indian and international suppliers. This State-of-the-art Gas Turbine will be supplied to TNEB’s proposed 108 MW Kovilkalappal Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP).
(b) An order worth Rs.7.54 cr. from Rajasthan Power Corporation Ltd. (RSPCL) for manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of 8 Nos. Wind Electric Generators (WEGs) of 250 KW capacity each for setting up 2 MW project on turnkey basis at Amarsagar in Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan. This project is being set up with assistance from the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources.
(c) Order for a Frame 9 Gas Turbine based power plant of 124 MW ISO rating, valued at Rs.106 cr. on turnkey basis from Ministry of Electricity & Water (MEW), Government of Oman. This marks the entry of BHEL in setting up large size gas turbine based power units abroad.
(d) Export order worth Rs.21 cr. funded by European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD), from Azerenerji Stock Company, Azerbaijan against intense competition from reputed international companies involving design, manufacture, supply, and erection
(e) A single largest order for Boilers, under International Competitive Bidding (ICB), from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), for 2000 MW (4x500 MW) Talcher Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II) in Orissa. BHEL’s scope of work envisages design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection, testing & commissioning of Boilers and Steam Turbine Generator sets.
6. BHEL has been awarded "All India Trophy for Top Exporter" for the 10th successive year for outstanding export performance of 1997-98 instituted by Engineeering Export Promotion Council (EEPC).
7. BHEL has been awarded ‘Golden Peacock National Training Award’(1998) by the Institute of Directors, for excellence in the area of training and Human Resource Management (HRM) effort.
8. Maruti Udyog Ltd. (MUL) launched two New Models ‘Baleno’ and Wagon-R.
9. Three employees, two from HMT Limited and one from BHEL received the "Prime Minister’s Shram Award" during the year.
10. Scooters India Ltd. (SIL) successfully developed an environment-friendly electricity-driven three wheeler.
11. Engineering Projects (India) Ltd. (EPI) bagged the following major orders:
(a) Order for Rural Pile Water Supply Scheme valued Rs.37.36 cr. at Akola and Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.
(b) An order worth Rs.13.84 cr. from Hydrabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for development, construction of Swarna Jayanti Commercial Complex at Ameerpet in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
(c) An order worth Rs.58 cr. by NTPC for civil and structural work (package II) consisting of Coal Handling/Ash Handling Plant, Pump House, Administrative Building etc. of 2000 MW (4x500 MW) Talcher Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II) in Orissa.
12. EPI has been awarded the ISO-9001 Certification from NQA Quality Systems Registrar Ltd. for "Design, Procurement and Execution of Multi-disciplinary industrial and other construction projects from concept design to commissioning".
13. Shri Manohar Joshi, Minister for Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises inaugurated the third plant of MUL on 24.12.1999.
14. Bharat Heavy Plates & Vessels Ltd. (BHPV) secured an export order worth Rs.13 cr. for design and supply of Skid Mounted Sulphur Recovery unit which produces 2 streams of 35 TPD capacity elemented sulphur from Lurgi India Co. Ltd.
15. BIFR has sanctioned the revival plan of Burn Standard Co. Ltd. (BSCL), a subsidiary of Bharat Bhari Udyog Nigam, Ltd. (BBUNL). The revival plan envisages fresh infusion of Rs.132 cr. including Rs.34 cr. for VRS, in addition to reliefs and concessions regarding conversion/write-off of Government of India loans/interest.
16. Brahmputra Bridge at Jogighopa, Assam constructed by Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Constn. Co.Ltd. (BBJ), under N.F.Railway, a Rs.102 cr. project comprising 2.2 km long double deck rail-cum-road bridge was inaugurated and dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister of India on 15.04.99.
17. BHEL received the ‘Performance Excellence’ award during the year. The award was received by Shri K.G. Ramachandran, CMD, BHEL.
18. A new range of watches with international styling at affordable prices were introduced under a joint Brand name (HMT – Tennmax) which was well received in the mark.
19. HMT launched a 35 HP DX fuel efficient tractor provided with direct axle mechanical disc brakes.