{
  "id": 7617022,
  "title": "Centre pushes BHEL to diversify beyond thermal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/centre-pushes-bhel-to-diversify-beyond-thermal",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-15T19:04:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/metals-mining/centre-rap-pushes-bhel-to-diversify-beyond-thermal/articleshow/134272029.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Delhi: The state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is looking to diversify its operations beyond thermal power generation, with a focus on coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals. While the company will commission fewer coal-fired power plants this fiscal year, it is expected to make strides in hydro power, pumped-storage projects and the modernisation of ageing hydro plants, according to company executives.\n\nThe move comes in response to a stern warning from the Centre, which stated that BHEL failed to meet the criteria for Maharatna status, potentially leading to a downgrade to Navratna status. Back in June, BHEL's assessment revealed that it did not meet the requirement of generating an average annual profit after tax of over ₹5,000 crore over the past three years.\n\nDespite this setback, BHEL boasts a substantial executable order book of approximately ₹2.60 lakh crore, with the core thermal business continuing to be its primary revenue source. Nevertheless, the company is actively seeking to develop new growth areas in strategic non-thermal industries, as the power sector undergoes a significant transformation.\n\nBHEL also possesses an outstanding hydro order book valued at around ₹5,500 crore. By leveraging its existing hydro-equipment and project-execution expertise, the company aims to capitalize on the growing opportunities in pumped-storage projects, equipment supplies, rehabilitation work, and associated electrical systems.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}