Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has granted transmission licence to Khavda IV A Power Transmission Ltd, a TBCB-subsidiary of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL).
In its recent order, CERC granted transmission licence that will remain in force for a period of 25 years, unless revoked earlier.
Khavda IV A Power Transmission Ltd is developing an interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme that is termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-IV (7 GW): Part A” on build, own, operate & transfer (BOOT) basis.
The successful bidder AESL acquired Khavda IV A Power Transmission Ltd on August 30, 2024, from bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL). AESL had won the project under the TBCB mode by quoting a tariff (annual transmission charge) of Rs.5089.66 million, getting the better of the only other contender Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
It is interesting to note that AESL’s final quote of Rs.5089.66 million, which emerged at the end of the e-reverse auction (e-RA), was as much as 29.4 per cent lower than its initial price bid of Rs.7207.70 million. This is indicative of aggressive bidding having taken place during the e-RA. It is also noteworthy that AESL was L2 when initial price bids were opened but ultimately emerged L1.
Project elements
To be commissioned by August 30, 2026, the project comprises mainly of the following elements:
- Creation of 765kV bus section-II at Khadva Pooling Station-3 [KPS3 (GIS)]
- Creation of 400kV bus section-II at KPS3 (GIS)
- 765kV double-circuit line (second) from KPS1 (GIS) to Bhuj PS
The project also involves setting up of line bays and STATCOMs at the associated substations. The project cost, as estimated by National Committee on Transmission (NCT), is around Rs.4,100 crore.
AESL portfolio
Speaking only of ISTS-TBCB projects, Adani Energy Solutions Ltd currently has an under-construction portfolio of eight schemes of which four were awarded in this fiscal year, FY25.
Khavda IV A was AESL’s first ISTS-TBCB win in FY25, which was followed by three others – Jamnagar Transmission Ltd (SPV transfer date: October 14, 2024), Navinal Transmission Ltd (October 14, 2024), Pune-III Transmission Ltd (November 19, 2024).
Besides, on December 3, 2024, AESL was issued the letter of intent for an ISTS-TBCB scheme “Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd” for which the formal SPV acquisition is yet pending. This scheme involves HVDC-based power transmission infrastructure and is only the second such, after Khavda V-A, to be awarded under the TBCB route.
Also read: CERC grants transmission licence to Bhadla-III ISTS scheme
Featured photograph is for representation only
