The global testing, certification, inspection and training provider TUV SUD, is to contribute to the modernisation and efficiency improvement roadmap for Indian power plants. The company would also support power plant owners in India in modernising their installations.
India's Central Electricity Authority has empanelled the international provider of testing and certification services as a renovation and modernisation (R&M) consultant for thermal power plants.
The demand for power plant modernisation is high, considering the increasing gap between power demand and supply and the Indian Government's commitment on climate change mitigation: by 2016, more than 50 conventional power plants (CPPs) must have been modernised.
The national modernisation programme provides for the fundamental overhaul and modernisation of all CPPs in India over the next years. "The modernisation programme is based on a five-year plan of the Indian government," said Bratin Roy, Business Unit Manager, at TUV SUD South Asia.
Under this programme, a large existing capacity, around 129 units of total capacity of 26283 MW and 95 units of total capacity of 21212 MW, has been identified for renovation and modernisation work during the 11th Plan and 12th Plan periods.
The power plant owners must document the planning and realisation of the necessary measures in detailed project reports by engaging one of the empanelled consultant companies. TUV SUD is an empanelled consultant.
Bratin Roy said, "By allowing engagement of an impartial third party consultant, the Indian government aims to ensure that the modernisation measures fulfil all legal requirements, are at par with an internationally comparative efficiency level and reach the ambitious goals of the national programme."
Jorg Oldorf, Business Unit Manager of TUV SUD Industry Service division said, "Empanelling the company as a consultant in this programme marks a milestone in our global power plant strategy".
Critical aspects for empanelling were the technical expertise and international experience of the testing and certification company in the field of conventional power stations.
"Improvement of the capacity and efficiency of existing power plants is at the top of India's agenda together with the construction of new power stations," said Oldorf.
Mixed TUV SUD teams, comprising multidisciplinary experts from different countries and combining an understanding of the systems with international experience, would assist local power plant owners and energy suppliers in fulfilling their responsibilities, the company said in a statement.