Sterlite Power has announced the commissioning of three vital components of its interstate transmission system (ISTS) project in Goa, managed by the special purpose vehicle “Goa Tamnar Transmission Ltd.”
Goa’s first 400kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at Dharbandora is now operational. The final project element, the Xeldem-Narendra transmission line, is slated for commissioning soon.
The Dharbandora GIS enables South Goa to receive a 400kV power supply for the first time, ensuring greater stability, fewer outages, and enhanced energy quality for industrial, commercial, and residential consumers.
This improved transmission capacity will reduce dependency on existing substations, stabilizing the network and making it more resilient. Such advancements are crucial for Goa’s economy, particularly for its tourism and hospitality sectors, which have long grappled with power reliability issues.
The project, envisioned by the Ministry of Power in 2015, addresses critical power gaps in the state. It was approved by the Standing Committees on Power System Planning for the Western and Southern Regions in 2016. Spread across Goa, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh, the project involves challenging terrains, including the dense forests of the Western Ghats, managed through robust surveying techniques and coordinated efforts with stakeholders.
The Goa Tamnar Transmission Project comprises 240 km of transmission lines and a high-capacity substation, aimed at strengthening the grid and providing an additional 400kV feed to Goa.
Key elements include the 400/220kV substation at Dharbandora, the 400kV double-circuit Xeldem-Mapusa-Narendra LILO line, the 765kV double-circuit Dharamjaigarh-Tamnar line, the 400kV Xeldem-Mapusa line, and the 220kV Xeldem-Xeldem line.