WRPC recommends Rs 550 crore replacement of Bhadrawati HVDC transformers
The Western Regional Power Committee (WRPC) has recommended the replacement of nine converter transformers at the HVDC Bhadrawati station at an estimated cost of Rs 550 crore, following a Residual Life Assessment (RLA) that concluded the equipment had exceeded its useful life.
The transformers, manufactured by Alstom, are part of the Chandrapur HVDC Back-to-Back Transmission System. The assessment was carried out by the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) on behalf of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited’s Western Region-I (WR-I) and covered 19 transformers and reactors that were more than 28 years old.
RLA findings
The study found that nine converter transformers had completed their useful life and should be replaced. The remaining 10 units will continue in service under close monitoring.
Powergrid informed the committee that repairing the ageing Alstom converter transformers would require considerable time, making replacement the more practical option.
Need for earlier assessments
During the discussions, the Superintending Engineer (Commercial), WRPC observed that the RLA had been conducted only towards the end of the equipment’s service life. He suggested that such assessments should be carried out at regular intervals rather than only at the end of the useful life to enable timely maintenance planning and reduce the risk of equipment failures.
The committee also noted that the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), through its notification dated March 15, 2024, has specified a useful life of 25 years for AC and DC substations. Based on the RLA findings, the proposal to replace the nine converter transformers was recommended for approval.
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