PGCIL to implement two interstate transmission projects worth Rs 4.2 billion

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has been nominated to execute two interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) route, with a total investment of Rs 4.2 billion. The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) approved these projects during its meeting on August 23, 2024.

The first project, the Eastern Region Expansion Scheme – 43 (ERES-43), has a budget of Rs 3.10 billion and an implementation period of 18 months, with a target of 15 months on a best-effort basis. This scheme includes upgrades to transmission assets linked to NTPC’s Kahalgaon (Bihar), Farakka (West Bengal), and Talcher (Odisha) power plants, along with the Meramundali substation in Odisha. Key components involve re-conductoring the 400kV double-circuit Kahalgaon – Farakka and Talcher – Meramundali lines, and upgrading 400kV bay equipment at these substations.

The second project focuses on additional transmission for redundant power supply to the Dholera area, with a budget of Rs 1.10 billion and an 18-month implementation period. This scheme involves creating a 220kV switchyard, installing 2×500 MVA, 400/220kV interconnecting transformers (ICTs) at the Vataman AIS substation in Gujarat, and setting up two 220kV line bays for the Vataman – Dholera-2 line of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO).

These projects are part of a broader transmission plan for the Dholera region. The first component of this plan includes establishing a 400kV switchyard and installing 2×1500 MVA, 765/400kV interconnecting transformers at the Vataman substation, related to the offshore wind zone Phase-I development, approved earlier under an RTM scheme by PGCIL.