Erickson to Construct Transmission Towers for Sterlite Grid in the Pir Panjal Range of India

Erickson Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC), a global provider of aviation services, partners with Sterlite Grid to install nearly 160 power transmission towers in the challenging terrain of the Pir Panjal mountain range in northern India using Erickson’s S64 Aircrane. The initiative will be the first time transmission lines are constructed utilizing a precision heavy lift helicopter in India.

Sterlite Grid, India’s largest private developer of independent power transmission systems, expects to complete the transmission network between the Indian states of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir nearly 10 months ahead of schedule, utilizing Erickson’s aerial expertise in setting transmission towers. The work is set to commence in mid-2016.

Sterlite Grid is building approximately 450 kilometers of transmission lines and 400 220-kilovolt gas-insulated substations (GIS) in Amargarh. To complete this line, nearly 1,150 towers will have to be erected in some of the most challenging terrains of Pir Panjal in the inner Himalayan region.

Erickson will assist Sterlite Grid by flying materials and steel, as well as utilizing the Aircrane’s high precision lift capability to erect the towers along the powerline. The work will be performed at altitudes between 9,000 and 12,500 feet in a remote region of the Himalayas. Erickson has 40 years of experience building transmission towers utilizing the Aircrane in similarly remote and austere environments.

“We, at Sterlite Grid, are committed to the nation’s vision to electrify every home in a time-bound manner. We strongly believe innovation and cutting-edge technologies will be the key driver to achieve faster growth. We are glad to introduce a global leader like Erickson to the potential of India’s infrastructure sector and look forward to working with the company on future projects,” says Pratik Agarwal, vice chairman, Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Limited.

“Erickson is excited to have been awarded this strategic contract in India by Sterlite Grid. India is a large market for Erickson, and we believe we can offer a competitive advantage in the construction of infrastructure projects in the country. As a business, we are pivoting towards long-term, infrastructure projects in the emerging and developing markets. We are looking forward to building a long-term relationship with Sterlite Grid and India,” says Jeff Roberts, Erickson president and CEO.