ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/5/2005 19 February 2005
Australian High Commissioner underlines potential for increased cooperation in India's hydroelectric development
The Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr John McCarthy, underlined the synergies between Australian hydroelectric companies and their Indian counterparts during the keynote address to India Hydro 2005 to be held on 20 February at the Meridien Hotel. The Minister for Power, HE Mr P M Sayeed, inaugurated India Hydro 2005.
Mr McCarthy said that Australia had strong capabilities in the hydroelectric sector which were already being utilized by India to develop its vast hydroelectric potential and here was strong interest in India and Australia doing more together.
"Australia has extensive expertise in the hydroelectric sector as a result of the development of the vast Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric scheme. Generating more than 3700 mw of energy, this was the world's largest hydro scheme at the time it was built," Mr McCarthy said.
The Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC) is now one of Australia's leading international engineering, consultancy and project management companies with involvement in hydro projects in Australia, South and South East Asia and Africa. In India SMEC is undertaking the design work for the 600 mw Kameng Project in Arunachal Pradesh. It is also the project manager for the 750 mw West Seti Hydro project in Nepal which will be linked into the Indian power grid.
Noting the increasing interest of India in Australia's expertise, Mr McCarthy said "Australia's competitive advantage in hydro schemes derives from the complexity of the hydro projects that we have developed in Australia and throughout Asia."
For example, in Australia's southern state of Tasmania, Hydro Tasmania operates one of the most complex schemes in the world. With over 90 years experience, Hydro Tasmania has increased its emphasis on smaller-scale hydro development and has worked on more than 30 hydro related projects in Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
"Another key feature of Australian companies is their excellent record in managing hydro resources in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner," the High Commissioner said. "Australia is also well placed to provide niche training for hydro development in disciplines including water, geotechnical and structural engineering, as well as in fields such as geology and environmental science," he added.
Other major Australian companies with interests and expertise in India's hydro sector include GHD Limited, one of Australia's premier engineering, management and environment specialists, and Leighton's Construction, which has considerable experience in major infrastructure projects, including hydro installations, in Asia.
For more information contact: Victoria Walker, Senior Adviser at the High Commission (98914 99811).