Tata BP to expand capacity

Indias Tata BP Solar, a joint venture between Tata Power and BP Solar, will expand capacity to 300 megawatt (MW) and has set a target to become a billion dollar company by 2012, a top company official said. Tata BP Solar provides services to the defense forces, northeastern states, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, educational institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, Delhi and Bangalore and has also electrified 20 villages in Orissa. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Agrico, a division of Tata Steel and Indias pioneer manufacturer of superior quality agricultural implements, for distributing solar products in the rural areas of the country deprived of electricity. Tata BP Solar is currently harnessing the potential of solar energy for providing telecom infrastructure in Bhutan. It is also supplying solar power equipment to Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. and export products to countries in Western Europe and the United States. The company’s clientele includes companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corp., Indian Oil Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (August 25, 2008)