Siemens commenced operations at its ultra-modern High Voltage Instrument Transformer factory at Aurangabad. Set up with an investment of Rs. 250 million (Rs. 25 crore) and spread over an area of approximately 4,500 square meters, the new manufacturing facility will provide direct employment to about 100 people and indirect employment to about 300 people. This is the sixth Instrument Transformer factory of Siemens worldwide and will cater to the growing domestic and global markets.
The new facility will manufacture a range of Instrument Transformers such as SF6 Insulated Current Transformers, Voltage Transformers and state-of-the-art Oil-filled Capacitor Voltage Transformers up to 765 kV. Instrument transformers are used to transform high current or voltage to measurable values. They provide standardized, useable levels of current or voltage in a variety of power monitoring, protection and measurement applications.
Siemens is the only manufacturer in India to offer SF6 Insulated Current and Voltage Transformers with Silicone Polymer Insulator technology that ensures the most reliable, safest and Explosion proof Instrument Transformers. The Silicone Polymer insulators are ideal for polluted atmosphere and provide freedom from frequent cleaning. Considering a very short assembly time, the factory has manufacturing capacity of more than 3,000 Instrument Transformers per year, with space provision for expansion.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Armin Bruck, Managing Director, Siemens Ltd., said, “We are very happy that our ultra-modern Instrument Transformers factory is now operational. Instrument Transformers are an important component of High Voltage substations, accounting to about 8% to 10% of switchyard’s total cost. And, therefore, it was imperative for us to have local manufacturing facility for Instrument Transformers to serve the growing market requirements. We are now equipped to provide the complete basket of high quality products for High Voltage Substations.” Dr. Bruck further added, “We are also thankful for all the necessary support for the project from the Government of Maharashtra.”
“India is an important growth market for us worldwide. The Instrument Transformer market in India is growing at a very fast pace, driven by the reforms in the power sector. With the establishment of new world-class Instrument transformer factory in India, we are able to offer our high-end technology to the Indian market”, said Dr. Norbert Passarge, CEO, Instrument Transformer Segment, Power Transmission Division, Energy Sector, Siemens AG.
To maintain a high degree of quality and accuracy while manufacturing, all main activities like core winding, active part assembly, all impregnation, vacuum and oven process, final assembly and testing will be done in-house. The factory also has in-built state-of-the-art testing facility with test equipment imported from Haefely, Switzerland. Another unique feature is that the Current and Potential Transformers will be manufactured without any use of paper or oil, thereby reducing production time by about four weeks.
Siemens’ Power Transmission Division belongs to the Energy Sector and provides products, systems and solutions such as HVDC & FACTS, Gas Insulated and Air Insulated Switchgear, High Voltage Circuit Breakers, Instrument Transformers, Disconnectors and Power Transformers up to 800 kV.
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2007 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR20.3 billion and received new orders totaling around EUR28.5 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.8 billion. The Energy Sector had a work force of 73,500 at the beginning of fiscal 2008.
Siemens Ltd is the flagship listed company in India. Siemens in India, which comprises 19 legal entities, is a leading provider of industry and infrastructure solutions with a business volume aggregating about Rs. 11,000 crores. It operates in the core business segments of Energy, Industry Transportation, Healthcare, Information Technology, Communication and Lighting. It has nation-wide Sales and Service network, 18 manufacturing plants, a network of around 500 channel partners and employs more than 18,000 people.