The state-of-the-art High Voltage Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) factory in Aurangabad was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Shri S. K. Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in the presence of Dr Udo Niehage, CEO, Power Transmission, Energy Sector Siemens AG and Dr. Armin Bruck, Managing Director, Siemens Ltd.

Spread over an area of 5000 square meters, the GIS factory will manufacture high quality of switchgear products ranging from 72.5 kV, 145 kV & 245 kV and in the next phase, expand the production to 420 kV switchgears. The GIS factory has established the competence to manufacture products with 75% localization, while retaining the world-class quality standards.

This is the tenth factory of Siemens in Maharashtra and the seventh factory belonging to the energy sector in India.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Armin Bruck, Managing Director, Siemens Ltd., said, “We are very happy that our ultra-modern GIS factory is operational. With this, we have a strong and complete portfolio in the high voltage T&D sector in India. Our constant endeavour has been to bring high quality and innovative technology to India with emphasis on local manufacturing. Our GIS factory, which has 75% local value add, enables us to offer our customers highly reliably GIS products with maximum safety and world-class quality standards. With negligible maintenance cost of the product over a life cycle, we are able to reduce operating costs for our customers by more than 20%.”

Talking about growth potential of the Indian market Dr. Udo Niehage, CEO of Power Transmission Division Energy Sector, Siemens AG said, “India is an important growth market for us worldwide. We see a huge scope for GIS products in India as the power sector is growing at a very fast pace, driven by the reforms to increase reliable energy supply .With the establishment of the new world-class GIS factory in India, we are able to offer our very best high-end technology to the Indian market”. He further added, “The first GIS in the world was manufactured by Siemens way back in 1968 and the fact that it is still operational in Germany is a true testimony to the quality standards and performance levels adhered by us.”

A fundamental feature of Siemens’ gas-insulated switchgear is the high degree of versatility provided by its modular system. Depending on their respective functions, the components are housed either individually and/or combined in compressed gastight enclosures. With a remarkably small number of active and passive modules, all customary circuit variants are possible. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is used as the insulating and arc-quenching medium. The enclosures offer an extraordinarily high degree of mechanical stability, resistance to arcing, and tests have proven that all the IEC safety standards are met. The switchgear’s corrosion-free enclosures and the self-lubricating motor drives ensure a long service life. The electromagnetic compatibility of the switchgear design prevents, both externally and internally, interference from voltages and over-voltages. Since the products are largely independent of environment conditions, the first major inspection is required only after 25 years of commissioning.

In fiscal 2008 (ended September 30), the Siemens Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR 22.6 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR33.4 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.4 billion. On September 30, 2008, the Energy Sector had a work force of approximately 83,500.