(EnergyAsia, February 14, Thursday) — French technology solutions company Areva said it has been awarded contracts worth a total of 41 million euros by two major Indian utilities, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Powergrid. (US$1=0.67 euro).

Areva will design engineer, manufacture and supply power transformers for the 3 x 500 MW Indira Ghandi Thermal Power Project in Jhajjar in Haryana state. This is reportedly the largest single order of power transformers in India and has been given mega power project status by the Indian government.

The 18-million-euro contract with Powergrid states that Areva will upgrade the Bihar Sub-transmission Systems by extending the existing substations and building additional 33kV bays.

Karim Vissandjee, Areva’s Transmission and Distribution CFO, said: “Areva has always believed in a new India where energy is a driving force. We are proud to be a key partner in the enhancement of the country’s Power Transmission and Distribution Networks.”

The companies signed the contracts at the recent India-France Economic conference in New Delhi in the presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Areva’s CEO Anne Lauvergeon.