Four developers have been shortlisted for development of an ISTS scheme in Rajasthan involving HVDC-based infrastructure. The scheme had come up for re-tendering in August after the original bidding process was annulled.
The four developers are Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Sterlite Power, Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) and India Grid Trust (IndiGrid).
The interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme in question is termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from REZ in Rajasthan (20 GW) under Phase-III Part I” and is housed under a project SPV “Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd,” currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL).
It may be recalled that PGCIL had emerged L1 for this project getting the better of two other contenders – Sterlite Power and AESL – before the bidding process was annulled and fresh bids called.
Estimated to cost around Rs.12,700 crore, this ISTS scheme taking shape in Rajasthan mainly involves the following elements:
- 6,000 MW, ±800kV Bhadla HVDC terminal station (4×1,500 MW) near Bhadla-III substation, Rajasthan
- 6,000 MW, ±800kV Fatehpur HVDC terminal station (4×1,500 MW) near Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh
- ±800kV HVDC Hexa-Lapwing line with Dedicated Metallic Return (DMR) between Bhadla (HVDC) and Fatehpur (HVDC) terminal stations [Running length: 950 km]
RECPDCL is expected to announce the final winner in the coming weeks.
TBCB in HVDC schemes
According to a study by T&D India, there are currently three ISTS schemes involving HVDC technology where developer selection will be done using the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) modality.
Apart from the “Rajasthan Part I” scheme discussed in this story, the TBCB mode has been deployed for an ISTS-TBCB scheme incorporated under “Khavda V-A Power Transmission Ltd.” PGCIL has received the letter of intent for developing this scheme that is estimated to cost nearly Rs.25,000 crore. AESL and Sterlite Power were in the final race for this project, as reported by T&D India on October 24, 2024.
The third HVDC scheme has been incorporated under “KPS III HVDC Transmission Ltd” and is currently in the bidding stage. By current timelines, bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd is expected to technically qualify bidders for opening of initial price bids on November 15, 2024.
KPS III HVDC Transmission entails development of two HVDC terminals of 2500 MW, ±500kV near KPS3 (Khavda Pooling Station – 3) and South Olpad, in Gujarat. There will also be a ±500kV bi-pole line connecting these two HVDC terminals, apart from other AC-based project elements. The scheme is termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-V (8GW): Part C” and is estimated to cost around Rs.12,000 crore.
Also read: Four qualify for twin Bikaner ISTS-TBCB schemes in Rajasthan
Featured photograph (source: Hitachi Energy India Ltd) is for representation only
