Top BSES sources told The Financial Express that with a large number of power projects expected to be implemented in the coming years, there will be enormous scope in the EPC contracts business.

The list of EPC contracts include: BSES Andhra Power Corporation's 200 mw power station at Kakinada with an investment of Rs 300 crore, Godavari sugarmill's bagasse-based 24 mw power plant at Samirwadi near Bijapur with an investment of Rs 80 crore, Suryodaya Power Ltd's 20 mw diesel-based power project in Andaman with investment of Rs 54 crore and Monnet Ispat Power projects with a capacity of 7.5 mw and 21 mw costing Rs 85.5 crore.

"The turnover of the EPC and contracts division is Rs 386 crore including Rs 170 crore of the international division and with substantial orders on hand, these groups will continue to fare well in the coming years," sources said, adding that the turnover is expected to grow despite EPC contracts being high value ones.

Sources said that the company has set up two more regional offices at Kochi and Bhopal for carrying out contracting activities.

It has completed three other projects - the electrification work for the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh Electricity Board, the installation of switchyards and electrical installations for a sugar plant and a refinery and the electrification of currency note press for the Reserve Bank of India. The EPC and contracts groups have also carried out work at the Haldia Petrochemicals complex and at the Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai.

BSES chairman RV Shahi said that the EPC and contracts could complete projects worth Rs 350 crore during previous fiscal mainly because a large number of IPPs could not achieve financial closure for their power projects.

He hoped that the turnover of the EPC and contracts group during the current fiscal will go up substantially this year. Meanwhile, Shahi said that BSES will soon file an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay high court order against the setting up of desulphurification plant at the Dahanu power station. However, the Dahanu Environment Protection Committee has already said that BSES should set up such a plant in view of Dahanu being declared as a fragile area. And there is a good case in its favour.

If the SC rejects BSES' appeal and directs the setting up of such a plant, the company will need an investment of Rs 200 crore. "However, the final decision will be taken only after the ruling from apex court," Shahi added.