AREVA’s Transmission and Distribution Div. (T&D) in India has announced the signing of a 19 million euros (Rs. 1,250 MINR) order with Up Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd. for what is expected to be the largest 400/220-kV turnkey switchyard with transformers order associated with a generating station ever built in India.

Under the project named 420/220 kV switchyard for Parichha Thermal Power Project Extension (2X250 MW) located in Jhansi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, AREVA will supply a turnkey package including design, engineering, manufacturing, erection and commissioning, planned for delivery by the first quarter of 2010.

Since the creation of its utility, Up Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd., Uprvunl, in 2000, Uttar Pradesh state has been at the forefront of power sector reforms and restructuring, thereby attracting private investments, promoting competition and efficiency, and facilitating sustainable development of the power sector. The region is of strategic relevance for AREVA as the company invested significantly here with the country’s first transformer factory built at Naini.

“Through this success, AREVA T&D reiterates its technical competence in the switchyard and project management domain. As the region increases its investment in the Power and T&D sector, AREVA looks forward to taking Uttar Pradesh to the Extra High Voltage Grid. Thanks to its historic and strong footprint in this region, the division is well positioned to succeed”, said Marco Graziano, AREVA T&D Executive Vice President, International Sales Organization and Sales Community Performance.