Powergrid Ananthpur Kurnool gets licence for RTM project
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has awarded a transmission licence to Powergrid Ananthpuram Kurnool Transmission Ltd (PAKTL) for an interstate transmission system (ISTS) project, to be executed under the regulatory tariff mechanism (RTM) mode. The project, estimated to cost Rs 456.4 million, is set for completion by March 31, 2026, and involves the establishment of three 400kV line bays at the upcoming Ananthpuram Pooling Station in Andhra Pradesh.
Two of the line bays will facilitate ISTS connectivity to Renew Vikram Shakti Pvt Ltd, while the third will cater to ABC Cleantech Pvt Ltd. This initiative received clearance from the Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) on March 22, 2024, which is authorized to approve ISTS projects costing under Rs 1 billion, including the implementation mode.
PAKTL, a subsidiary of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), is also managing another ISTS project under the TBCB mode. This scheme, focusing on solar energy in Ananthpuram (2,500 MW) and Kurnool (1,000 MW), involves establishing a 400/220kV, 7×500 MVA Ananthpuram Pooling Station at an estimated cost of Rs 12.49 billion, with a commissioning date set for September 2025.
The Ananthpuram Pooling Station, spanning 62 acres, is designed to feature seven 400/200kV, 500 MVA interconnecting transformers (ICTs) and 12 bays of 220kV, yielding a total transformation capacity of 3,500 MVA. CTUIL has received numerous connectivity applications for both 220kV and 400kV from this station, granting approvals for approximately 1,545 MW at the 220kV level and around 2,710 MW at the 400kV level. The current ISTS-RTM project will support the 400kV connectivity applications.
Additionally, the existing connectivity applications at 220kV can be satisfied using five 500 MVA, 400/220kV ICTs, while another five 220kV line bays have been assigned to various renewable energy developers. Given that new applications are primarily at the 400kV level, some 220kV bays and ICTs may be underutilized. To mitigate this, CTUIL is in discussions with PAKTL to modify the switchyard design for optimal use of the remaining ICTs and 220kV bays.