From correspondents in Delhi, India, 04:01 PM IST

For the first time, state-owned power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will set up a Rs.24.75-billion ($627 million), 600-MW thermal power unit in Tamil Nadu, the company said.

'Under international competitive bidding, BHEL has won a turnkey contract for setting up a 600 MW thermal power generating unit in Tamil Nadu,' BHEL said in a statement issued Thursday.

'The Rs.24.75-billion turnkey contract has been placed on BHEL by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for setting up a 600 MW thermal power generating unit at North Chennai thermal power station,' the statement said.

'This is the first-ever order secured by BHEL for the new rating unit of 600 MW designed to sub-critical parameters and is a testimony to the customer's confidence in the company's capabilities and proven technological excellence,' the company said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)