SG KE Degremont commissions Chennai plant

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: Water treatment plant major Degremont India, a 51:49 joint venture between the French major Degremont and the Delhi-based Anand Group, is looking at revenues of Euro 100 million by 2010, from the present Euro 30 million. The company is also eyeing the huge desalination business.

Speaking to TOI, Thierry Mallet, CEO of Degremont, said with the increased focus on potable water in big cities, the need for integrated water plants was becoming essential. “We are the largest player in the world. The Tamil Nadu chief minister has just inaugurated a 530 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant, which is the second highest capacity plant in the country,” he said.

The plant in Chennai is located in Chembarambakkam lake. It has been designed, built and will be operated by Degremont for a seven-year period. The treated water will be handed over to The Chennai Metro Water and Sewerage Board which will, in turn, pipe it and distribute it in the city. The cost of water at the plant will be around Rs 1.35 per kilo litre. The contract size is Rs 46 crore for seven years.

The construction of the plant was completed early this year and after three months of trial it now ready for commissioning.