Asia |
Powering Asia’s green future
As countries across Asia upgrade aging hydropower plants and invest in new projects,
Thordon Bearings is seeing increased demand for its water-lubricated bearings and seals. With major projects in India, Vietnam, and beyond, the company is strengthening its presence in the region through key partnerships and expanded production
AS DEMAND FOR RENEWABLE energy grows, Thordon Bearings is playing a bigger role in Asia’s expanding hydropower sector. The company, known for its water-lubricated bearings and seals, has seen increasing interest in its technology, driving its plans for further growth in the region. India, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, even the small Kingdom of Bhutan, are all refurbishing ageing hydropower plants or building new with Thordon’s water-lubricated and self-lubricating bearings and seals. “We’ve seen tremendous growth across Asia, where our value proposition is well received by power utility companies looking to optimise plant performance with more energy and environmental efficient technology,” explains Axel Swanson, Thordon’s Business Development Manager - Hydro, Pump & Industrial. The Canadian company has secured notable success in India, where distributor Soneji Engineering Pvt. Ltd has been recognized by the Indian government for its contribution to the success of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited’s (BHEL’s) massive Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) in Telangana. Thordon and Soneji Engineering secured a tender
Below: SXL Axial shaft seal assemblies installed at the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme
to supply 24 large diameter axial shaft seal assemblies for use in large Francis style pumps, along with water filtration systems for the project’s turbine pumps. The project was a major milestone for both companies as it represented the largest ever tender awarded in BHEL’s history for this particular component. “There are over 300 hydro plants in India of which more than half are due for refurbishment and modernisation,” says Jaideep Singh, Head of Department – Hydro, Soneji Engineering. “The Indian government has stated plants older than 35-40 years will be overhauled with about 15 hydroelectric projects above 25MW at the tendering stage. The government also plans to increase the number of pumped hydro plants to be commissioned in the future.”
Self lubricated brushings According to Soneji Engineering, hydroelectric power
plant operators are insisting on Thordon’s self-lubricating bushes in wicket gate applications rather than the grease- lubricated metallic bushes typically used. This is largely due to cost efficiencies gained from a more reliable system that requires minimal maintenance. “We are focusing on converting oil-lubricated turbine guide bearings to water lubrication for upcoming projects under the government’s renovation policy,” says Singh. “Power utility companies are insisting on
16 | April 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
converting the oil-lubricated turbine guide bearing units to more economical, environmentally friendly, and efficient water-lubricated bearing solutions.” The trend is evident from a surge in orders for
Thordon’s hydro solutions specified for Indian plants operated by NHPC, MAHAGENCO, TANGEDCO, APGENCO, PSPCL, HPSEB, TSGENCO, SJVNL, UJVNL, for irrigation projects and mini hydro developments at Dhakrani, Chibro, Khodri, Kulhal, Mohammadpur, and Machkund. The company’s orderbook also includes Thordon turbine guide bearings for installation to hydro turbines operating at the Dumajorhi and Djenne Mali plants operated by Global Hydro.
Singh says Soneji Engineering is also working with turbine manufacturer Voith Hydro on an export project to supply SXL turbine guide bearings to Japan, for installation at the 16.9MW Odagiri plant. “Our collaboration with this original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is a significant project for us, as it allows Thordon to enter the Japanese market, which has traditionally been a difficult one to penetrate,” he says.
Swanson adds: “Soneji Engineering has been instrumental in securing these high-profile projects. The company has a very strong presence and has longstanding relationships with OEMs and utility companies across the country. This has been crucial to our success in this market.” While India remains one of Thordon’s primary focus areas in Asia, the company is also exploring opportunities in growing markets, such as Vietnam, Bhutan and Malaysia. Vietnam, where Thordon’s authorized distributor Delta Marine and Industries has been pivotal in raising awareness of the benefits of Thordon’s ThorPlas- Blue and SXL materials for linkage and wicket gate bearings, and operating ring pads, has also seen strong uptake of these solutions. Asia’s third-largest producer of hydropower, Vietnam meets about 33% of its own power demand from hydropower. This is set to increase with a projected annual kWh growth rate of 4% over the next five years. As of 2023, 378 hydropower plants were in operation in Vietnam, though the country has a theoretical hydropower potential of around 35,000MW, with 60% of that potential in the north, 27% in the central region, and 13% in the south. “With the majority of the country’s hydropower
plants built more than two decades ago there is certainly a need for new technology upgrades,” says
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