The facility has a capability to produce HVCB in the range of 145 kv to 420 kv. Siemens has so far invested Rs 8 crore in the unit and has earmarked another Rs 1.5 crore in the second phase.

Company managing director, J Schubert, told journalists that was huge scope for the product in the domestic market. This is also because the power industry is now focusing on strengthening transmission and distribution. With this new unit, Siemens can provide a turnkey solution to power transmission and distribution projects, Schubert said. "Siemens undertakes activities from planning to implementation of power projects, including generation, transmission and distribution," he added.

Apart from catering to the large domestic market, the product will alsobe available for exports though this requires close quality control. Siemens, which recently changed its focus from product to solutions, is in the process of identifying vendors to source parts of the product. The power T&D division, which is the growth driver of the company, has received many orders from various electricity boards and power companies.

Basak said that Siemens' entry would increase competion and bring down product price. MSEB, which has launched a initiative to strengthen its T&D and reduce losses, will be one of the main customers in the region, he said. The board also took the first delivery from the company today for its sub station at Ranjangaon, Maharashtra.

With the new facility, the T&D division of Simens has further consolidated its position as a total T&D solution provider, said S Ramaswamy executive vice president of the company. Siemens already has a medium voltage switchgear plant at Kalwa and a low voltage switchboard plant at Calcutta.