Power transmission and distribution is an important business area for the multifaceted company Sterling and Wilson. In this exclusive exchange with T&D India, we have P.K. Paine who heads the power transmission and distribution discussing the business vertical in detail. While Sterling and Wilson is already present in the 765kV power transmission space, it is planning to extend its capabilities to the 500kV (DC) segment, notes Paine.
Please describe the current capabilities of Sterling & Wilson with respect to EHV substations and transmission lines.
With respect to EHV substations and transmission lines, Sterling and Wilson serves the entire portfolio of design, engineering, supply, project management, erection, testing, commissioning and maintenance. We undertake turnkey projects for EHV substations and transmission lines from concept to commissioning along with advanced automation system, and have successfully executed a number of 132kV, 220kV and 400kV projects in both air insulated substations and gas insulated substations. Our in-house engineering team has engineered and developed substations equipped with state-of-the-art SCADA system.
Our capabilities have ensured that we enjoy a distinguished clientele across both PSUs, like WBSETCL, TSEB, PGCIL, NTPC, MSETCL, GETCO, RRVPNL, APTRANSCO, KPCL, UPPTCL, HSIIDC, OPTCL, BSPTCL, ASEB, SAIL, GAIL, BHEL, and private sector leaders like ITC, Hindalco, Ford, Inox, Adani, Tata Power and L&T, to name a few.
Yes, Indian power system organisations have already started working in ultra-high voltage power transmission, up to 1,200kV system. However, we still believe that an effective execution plan across the country can aid the segment develop further. We are already present in EHV system up to 765kV (AC), and are planning to enter the 500kV (DC) segment also.
Remote substation monitoring through SCADA is emerging as an important area. Tell us about your competence in this regard.
Sterling and Wilson has already started working with advanced SCADA systems and the same is under implementation at our substation projects with PGCIL, WBSETCL and GETCO.
Gas insulated switchgear (GIS) is replacing the air insulated variant as the former has a much lesser footprint. Tell us more.
The concept of GIS substation by using SF6 Gas has recently seen a huge spike in interest compared to the conventional AIS substation, as it is comparatively more beneficial and economical. Not only is a gas insulated switchgear compact, requiring less space, it also has an advantage of having trouble-free operations and less maintenance during its lifecycle.
We have been associated with multiple projects in Middle East and Africa, and have a presence in Australia and Europe as well. Currently, our projects are being executed in more than 40 countries across the world. In fact, we have international offices in Dubai, Nigeria, Qatar, Riyadh, Philippines, South Africa (Cape Town), Thailand and Australia. In the current year, the company is expanding to the USA and South America.
What are the typical challenges faced during project execution, especially transmission lines?
The biggest challenge faced during transmission line projects are: difficulties in securing right-of-way ROW, lack of availability of skilled manpower across the country, and securing forest clearances, etc. in a time-bound manner.
Given that India has placed a sharp focus on power transmission, how do you plan to exploit business opportunities? What are new capabilities that you plan to develop so that the EHV substation division can offer even more comprehensive solutions?
Sterling and Wilson is very much focused on EHV substation and transmission line systems both in India and globally. It has the capacity to offer comprehensive EHV power system solutions up to 765kV. We are fully equipped as EPC service providers for the power transmission & distribution segment with expert teams for design, engineering, construction and project management for the successful delivery and early completion of our projects.
