Alstoms Stafford business helps win power grid contract in India to create energy highway

Alstom's Grid Centre of Excellence in Stafford is at the heart of a turnkey contract worth 400 million to connect the power stations of Champa to Khurukshetra in Northern India using Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) technology.

This highly advanced system will take the power form the Chhattisgarh region to areas of high power demand in the north of the subcontinent through a 1,365km transmission line, creating an 'energy highway' of efficient power transmission. The line will have a voltage level of 800kV, which is double the most powerful level seen in the UK.

Stephen Burgin, Alstom UK President and Chairman of Power Electronics UK, said: "Alstom is at the forefront of the efficient transmission of power across long distances, with Stafford at the very heart of their technological development and deployment.

"For me, what makes this contract even more impressive is that it shows that we have the ability, right here in the UK, to make a real difference to rapidly developing economies around the world, where we can help take electricity from power station to plug even when they're thousands of miles apart."

Under the terms of the contract, Alstom will deliver thyristor valves rated up to 800kV, 32 converter transformers, 400/220 kV gas- and air-insulated switchgear and substation equipment, communications and supervisory control and data acquisition systems. The work will include overall project management, studies, design, engineering, training, manufacture, civil works at site, site testing and commissioning.

Working alongside Alstom in Stafford will be Alstom Grid India units located at Noida, Hosur, Padappai, Pallavaram and Vadodara.

Alstom currently employs around 2,000 people in Stafford, 1,400 of which work for the Grid business.

The company is currently recruiting for dozens of experienced positions in its HVDC business in Stafford. More details are available by visiting http://www.alstom.com/uk/hvdc-recruitment.

About Alstom
Alstom is one of the worlds leaders in power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for all thermal (coal, nuclear, gas...) and renewable (hydro, wind, solar...) energy sources. It offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs over 90,000 people in around 100 countries, and had sales of 21 billion in 2010/11.

Alstom in the UK
Our 6,500 UK employees are responsible for maintaining and operating over half of the countrys power stations, and ensuring that, every year, 30m passengers on the West Coast Main Line and Londons Northern Line get to where they need to be.

Press Contact 
Jonathan Smith, Head of Media Relations Alstom UK Tel 0207 438 9355/ 01788 545602/ 07801 775650

Jonathan.smith@chq.alstom.com

Website
http://www.alstom.com/uk/