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‘Great future in gas-based power’
Having addressed turbine problems at Dabhol and put company veteran John Flannery at the helm of Indian operations, GE is poised for a quantum jump, the company’s vice-chairman and the CEO of its Energy business, John Krenicki Jr, told Hindustan Times. Excerpts:
GE Energy, part of the diversified conglomerate General Electric Company (GE), is looking to ramp up capacity to match the demand for its technologies and services in India.
Having addressed turbine problems at Dabhol and put company veteran John Flannery at the helm of Indian operations, GE is poised for a quantum jump, the company’s vice-chairman and the CEO of its Energy business, John Krenicki Jr, told Hindustan Times. Excerpts:
On India
There is a remarkable change. Our economists say the top 3 countries 10 years from now would be China, the US and India. We built India’s first nuclear plant at Tarapur in the 1960s, and we will play a leading role in building the new atomic power plants.
On growth areas
All our businesses — energy, aviation, health, financial services and transportation — have tremendous scope. The local team headed by John Flannery will set its own target for each business and we will support them. We want to achieve localisation of technologies.
On focus areas
Gas and nuclear energy will be of main focus, though we have the technology for coal. We see great future for gas-based power plants here though India traditionally opts for coal.
On PSU giant BHEL
We have a fruitful and constructive relationship with BHEL. They are our technology partners for gas turbines. Though initially it would cater to the local market, it may supply to our global customers. We have set up a joint venture service arm for gas turbines with BHEL.
On the water business
Like Singapore, it would be mandatory for Indian industrial users to recycle wastewater. We can do a lot in sea water desalination.
On investment and growth
I will not quantify. It will restrict the local team. Let them set their own target and we will support them.
On the Indian operations
At GE India we have 13,000 employees, including 5,000 engineers. We will increase the number if required. We have significantly grown in India ($2.6 billion revenue from India in 2008), but we can do better. We are never satisfied.
