Bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has initiated the bidder selection process for two independent components of an interregional network expansion schemes, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mode.
As per current timelines, the last date for submission of response to RfP, which is the technical and price bids, is set at March 6, 2025. Technical bids will be opened on the same date, following by shortlisting of technically qualified bidders for opening of initial price bids.
The two schemes are termed as “WR-ER Interregional Network Expansion Scheme (Part A)” and “WR-ER Interregional Network Expansion Scheme (Part C)” and are housed under project SPVs “WR ER Part A Power Transmission Ltd” and “WR ER Part C Power Transmission Ltd,” respectively. Both the SPVs were incorporated on November 6, 2025, as wholly-owned subsidiaries of RECPDCL.
Objective
The main objective of the overarching scheme is to create an addition 765kV corridor between the ER (Eastern Region) and WR (Western Region) grids, so as to relieve loading on various 765kV and 400kV lines in the WR-ER corridor in peak solar scenario.
Studies conducted by Grid Controller of India Ltd (GRID-INDIA) have pointed out that lines such as 765kV Ranchi-Dharamjaygarh, 400kV Ranchi-Sipat and 400kV Ranchi (New) – New PPSP are getting critically loaded under N-1 contingencies in high solar scenarios when thermal generation is backed down in ER.
Project Cost
Part A is larger of the two schemes with an estimated cost of Rs.6,444 crore and a gestation period of 24 months. This component involves development of 600 km of transmission lines, two critical substations — 765/400kV Raigarh (Kotra) – II substation in Chhattisgarh and 765/400kV substation at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, and associated transmission infrastructure.
It may be recalled that significant modifications were made to the Part A scheme with respect to land acquisition requirements. (See tndindia.com story dated December 17, 2025)
Part C is a much smaller scheme, with an estimated cost of Rs.912 crore and a completion timeframe of 42 months. It involves a 400kV double-circuit line from the Jamshedpur substation envisaged in Part A, apart from extension works at the said substation.
The overall scheme also has Part B that has been assigned to Purulia & Kharagpur Transmission Company Ltd, a TBCB subsidiary of IndiGrid Infrastructure Trust, under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) framework.
For more project details, please read tndindia.com story dated September 15, 2025
Also read: Bidders shortlisted for interregional transmission scheme
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