Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL) is a Jaipur-based mini-Ratna public sector company under the department of heavy industries. The company has, so far, deployed milk-testing equipment and solar photovoltaic systems in more than 1,00,000 villages, throughout the country. The company has received several awards such as excellence in electronics award in 1991 and 2001, national research and development award in 2004 and the SCOPE award for excellence and outstanding contribution to public sector management for the year 2006-07. Its chairman MM Bharadwaj spoke to HT on a range of issues. Excerpts:
Can you briefly elaborate on the product range of REIL?
The company is in the area of electronic measuring instruments for dairy industry, solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems for applications in the rural areas, information technology applications for dairy sector and other applications. Most of the output of the company goes to the rural market and has benefited rural people substantially. REIL has been supplying milk-testing equipment such as electronic milk testers and analysers for measurement of fat and SNF (solids-not-fat) in milk. We have collaborated with Foss, Denmark, for supplying high-end equipment such as Milkoscan, Bactoscan and Fossomatic, among others, for complete analysis of milk and milk products at chilling centres and dairies. We have also been supplying domestic lighting and street lighting systems, among other facilities.
In the area of renewable energy, which are the recent projects executed by REIL?
The Rajasthan government has recently awarded a national-level project of about R300 crore to REIL under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. It's aimed at supply and installation of about 10,000 SPV power packs for powering computers in all the Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras at Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan. These Kendras are equipped with computers to provide sustainable solutions for improving the quality of life by providing digital connectivity for agricultural solutions, communications, healthcare and governance. This project should be complete by June 2012.
In the area of renewable energy, which are the recent projects executed by REIL?
The Rajasthan government has recently awarded a national-level project of about R300 crore to REIL under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. It's aimed at supply and installation of about 10,000 SPV power packs for powering computers in all the Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras at Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan. These Kendras are equipped with computers to provide sustainable solutions for improving the quality of life by providing digital connectivity for agricultural solutions, communications, healthcare and governance. This project should be complete by June 2012.
What are REIL's modernisation plans in the area of renewable energy?
At present, we have a 5MW peak (MWp) semi-automatic module manufacturing facilities. We are in the process of installation of a fully-automatic SPV module manufacturing plant of about 15 MWp capacity. The plant is likely to be commissioned in October 2011. Besides, a lot of opportunities will be coming under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, especially in Rajasthan. We also have a plan to further enhance its capacity to 30 MWp in the next two years.
Can you elaborate on the steps taken to build capacity?
The company has grown from Rs 100 crore to Rs 134 crore in a year. We hope to achieve a turnover of Rs 250 crore in the next two years. The company has a bright future, both in product range and research and development (R&D) efforts.