How one state-owned giant powers India's infrastructure and space missions
In short: From heavy turbines to space-grade batteries, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited is a cornerstone of Indian industry. This Maharatna enterprise manages everything from massive power plants to advanced naval weaponry, playing a critical role in the nation's energy, transportation, and aerospace ambitions through a vast network of manufacturing facilities.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is a massive state-owned engineering and manufacturing company operating under the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The company's complex structure began with the 1956 incorporation of Heavy Electricals (India) Limited (HE(I)L) in Bhopal, following an agreement with the UK's Associated Electrical Industries in November 1955. While BHEL was formally incorporated on 13 November 1964 to manage new plants in Tiruchirappalli, Hyderabad, and Haridwar, it eventually merged with HE(I)L in January 1974 to integrate their operations.
BHEL's influence spans diverse sectors. In the energy sector, it has supplied over 197 GW of power-generating equipment globally and supports India's nuclear-energy programme, including work at the Kaiga, Kakrapar, and Rajasthan Atomic Power Stations. Reaching into orbit, the firm provided lithium-ion batteries and solar panels for the NASA–ISRO NISAR satellite mission. At its Haridwar plant, BHEL produces 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGM) used by the Indian Navy, such as on Visakhapatnam-class destroyers.
The company's scale is reflected in its massive order book, which reached approximately ₹260,255 crore (US$27 billion) as of 30 June 2026. BHEL is currently diversifying into emerging technologies, including green hydrogen and electric mobility. In July 2026, it entered a strategic collaboration with thyssenkrupp nucera India to manufacture alkaline electrolyser systems for green-hydrogen projects. Whether through railway contracts, such as the 80 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets, or advanced coal gasification plants, BHEL remains a central pillar of India's industrial landscape.
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