The implementation schedules of the RTM and TBCB components of the Krishnagiri REZ-Phase I interstate scheme have been aligned to 36 months.
When approved the TBCB component, currently under bidding, had a completion timeframe of 30 months. This was later revised to 36 months, as discussed in this tndindia.com story dated March 16, 2026.
Now, the RTM component of the scheme will also have a similar completion period. This was decided at the latest meeting of the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) held last month.
The RTM component, assigned to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), involves conversion of two 765kV bus reactor bays to 765kV SLR (switchable line reactor) at PGCIL’s Raichur New substation in Karnataka. The project also entails shifting of the existing 50 MVAr bus reactor at Nagarjunasagar to a new bay for termination of one circuit of the 400kV double-circuit (quad) Sagar-Nagarjunasagar line.
The RTM component is officially termed as “Transmission system for integration of Krishnagiri (Kurnool-V) REZ Phase-I” – Upgradation works at Nagarjunasagar and Raichur.
TBCB component
Housed under project SPV “Krishnagiri REZ Transmission Ltd,” currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd, this ISTS-TBCB scheme is presently under bidding.
By current timelines, the last date for submission of response to RfP (technical and financial bids) is June 12, 2026.
Estimated to cost Rs.7,627 crore, this is among the largest ISTS-TBCB schemes currently under bidding.
The scheme aims to facilitate immediate integration and evacuation of power from RE generation projects for about 4.5 GW of RE potential in Kurnool area out of the identified total potential of 23 GW in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The scheme has several project elements including mainly the new 4×1500 MVA, 765/400kV and 5×500 MVA, 400/220kV Krishnagiri Pooling Station, the new 3×1500 MVA, 765/400kV Sagar substation, several interconnecting lines, statcoms, etc.
From Kurnool-V to Krishnagiri
The Krishnagiri REZ scheme, also referred to as the Kurnool-V scheme, has evolved out of major modifications to two schemes as described below:
During a meeting of National Committee on Transmission (NCT) in August 2025, two ISTS schemes relating to RE evacuation in Andhra Pradesh were approved for implementation under the TBCB framework.
The two schemes were termed as “Kurnool-V REZ (Phase-I)” and “Ananthapuram-III REZ (Phase-I)”.
In a subsequent NCT meeting of September 2025, it was deliberated that the connectivity that was sought from the two schemes could be achieved through other schemes that are already under development, in conjunction with co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) installations.
However, during the NCT meeting of November 2025, it was felt that it would not be prudent to hold up the development of Krishnagiri PS (then called Kurnool-V PS), which was an integral component of the “Kurnool-V REZ (Phase-I)” scheme.
The present scheme under discussion — Krishnagiri REZ Phase-I – is in effect a modified version of the “Kurnool-V REZ (Phase-I),” while the “Ananthapuram-III REZ (Phase-I)” scheme has been put on hold, till further deliberations.
The tentative project cost of the Krishnagiri REZ Phase-I scheme is Rs.7,627 crore, as estimated by NCT in its latest meeting that deliberated upon the project.