Unpacking GNA: Discussion on Power Transmission and Renewable Energy Integration

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  In India’s power sector, discussions often spotlight generation, such as renewables, hydro, thermal, or nuclear, but the transmission system, the backbone that delivers electricity, rarely gets its due. General Network Access (GNA), introduced by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), simplifies access to shared transmission lines for power producers. In a recent Power Peak Digest podcast on the Electricity Market in India YouTube channel, host Shivani Singh discussed GNA’s role in renewable energy integration…

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Hitachi Energy to supply 30 high-voltage transformers to Powergrid

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Hitachi Energy India Limited, 26 June 2025, has won a contract from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to supply 30 units of 765 kV, 500 MVA single-phase transformers.   The 765 kV transformers will be manufactured at Hitachi Energy’s facility in Maneja, Gujarat. These units are key to managing high-capacity power flows and are being deployed to support renewable energy integration and electrification across key sectors. This order follows a separate Rs 6,470.27 million…

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Three JVs win Rs 10.67 bn contracts for Assam transmission project

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Three joint ventures have secured contracts worth a total of Rs 10.67 billion under the Assam Intra-State Transmission System Enhancement Project Phase II. The contracts cover packages P-II-A, P-II-B, and P-II-D, with completion timelines of 1,095 days. The joint venture of Jakson Limited and Stelmec Limited has bagged Package P-II-A. Valued at Rs 4,370 million, the package includes construction of a 220/132 kV, 2×160 MVA gas-insulated substation (GIS) at Rowta, along with associated transmission lines….

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EPTA seeks relaxed ISTS waiver phase-out for ongoing RE projects

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The Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) has asked the government to ease the planned phase-out of the interstate transmission system (ISTS) waiver, set to begin on July 1, 2025. EPTA warned that the proposed 25% yearly withdrawal could disrupt projects and raise costs for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers. It suggested a slower 10% annual phase-out and a milestone-based relief for delayed but advanced projects. The association requested a 6–9 month extension for projects that…

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Power Ministry allows ISBs and POIs for transmission bid security

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The Ministry of Power has revised its Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) for Inter-State Transmission Services. Announced on June 5, 2025, the amendment now permits bidders to submit Insurance Surety Bonds (ISBs) and Payment on Order Instruments (POIs) instead of relying solely on traditional bank guarantees. The revised bid security norms expand the definition of a Bid Bond to include three instruments: unconditional bank guarantees, ISBs issued by IRDAI-authorised insurers, and POIs issued solely by IREDA,…

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Andhra Pradesh proposes Rs 284 billion green energy corridor

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The Government of Andhra Pradesh has proposed to set up the Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Project at an estimated cost of Rs 284.36 billion. The corridor will facilitate the evacuation of 11,000 MW from renewable energy projects and 7,000 MW from pumped storage projects. This infrastructure is key to meeting the state’s target of generating 72 GW of green energy by 2029. Funding will follow a standard pattern: 40 per cent from the…

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PGCIL acquires SPV for Mahan Energen transmission project

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Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has completed the acquisition of MEL Power Transmission Limited (MPTL), a special purpose vehicle set up for the transmission system linked to Mahan Energen Limited’s power station in Madhya Pradesh. The acquisition was finalised on June 4, 2025. MPTL was initially incorporated by PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL) on November 20, 2024, to implement the transmission scheme through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route. PFCCL served as the bid…

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PGCIL commissions Kathalguri–Namsai line

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Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has commissioned the Kathalguri (NEEPCO)–Namsai (POWERGRID) 220 kV double-circuit transmission line. The line is part of the System Strengthening Scheme for Eastern and North Eastern Regions and spans across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The project is being executed under two schemes: Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme-XXV (ERSS-XXV) Implemented at Banka in Bihar, this involves: Creation of a 220 kV GIS bus at Banka (POWERGRID) substation Extension of 400 kV…

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Adani Energy wins Talegaon transmission project in Maharashtra

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Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL) has secured the transmission project to evacuate power from 1,500 MW pumped storage projects (PSPs) near Talegaon, Maharashtra.  REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (REC PDCL) invited bids in October 2024. AESL emerged as the lowest bidder, quoting Rs 16.6 billion, with fixed transmission charges of Rs 2.21 billion. Competing bidders in the technical round included Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and Resonia Limited. The project will be…

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REC PDCL incorporates SPVs for three transmission projects in Karnataka

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REC Power Distribution Company Limited (REC PDCL) has incorporated three special purpose vehicles (SPVs) for transmission projects in Karnataka. The SPVs were established on May 21, 2025, to facilitate project development under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route. Hampapura Power Transmission Limited will implement the project for establishing a 400 kV substation at Hampapura, along with associated transmission lines in Mandya district. Sharavathi Power Transmission Limited has been formed for the transmission system required for…