Karnataka has deployed the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework for development of intrastate transmission infrastructure.
According to information available with T&D India, this is the first instance where the TBCB modality is being employed by Karnataka for development of its intrastate grid.
The government of Karnataka has appointed REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) as the bid process coordinator for development of two intrastate projects – both 400kV substations, along with associated transmission lines.
RECPDCL recently initiated the bidder selection process for both the projects.
These projects are officially termed as:
- Establishing 400kV substation at Hampapura along with associated transmission lines (Mandya District)
- Establishing 400kV substation at Mekhali along with associated transmission lines (Belagavi District)
Both the projects are scheduled for completion in 24 months from the date of transfer of the project SPV. Incidentally, RECPDCL has yet to incorporate project SPVs for both the schemes, it is learnt.
While the Mekhali substation (2×500 MVA, 400/220/33kV) will be of the AIS type, the Hampapura substation, with identical rating as Mekhali, will be of the GIS type.
Land for both the substations will be provided by state utility Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL).
Project objective
The Hampapura GIS substation aims to provide reliable power supply to downstream 220kV substations (Huygonahalli, Tubinakere, Kothipura) and planned 220kV substations of Maddur & Channapattana and to overcome the loading constraints of 220kV lines along with having further loading & operational flexibility.
The Mekhali AIS substation seeks to relieve loading on KPTCL’s existing 400/220kV Narendra substation in Dharwad district. Currently, majority of substations in the Belagavi and Bagalkot districts are fed from the Narendra substation, leading to loading violations. Thus, the proposed Mekhali substation will help relieve loading on the Narendra substation and help in reliable evacuation of existing and proposed renewable energy plants in the vicinity.
TBCB in intrastate grids
Speaking of recent history, Karnataka now joins Maharashtra that has also newly initiated the TBCB philosophy for development of intrastate transmission infrastructure. The Maharashtra government has engaged both RECPDCL and PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) to act as bid process coordinators for development of as many as seven intrastate transmission system (InSTS) schemes under the TBCB framework.
In the past, states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, among few others, have deployed the TBCB framework for development of their intrastate transmission network. In most of these cases, the state transmission utilities themselves have conducted the bidding process. It is only in the recent past that the engagement of bid process coordinators PFCCL and RECPDCL is being witnessed.
Featured photograph showing the 220/11kV Karadalu substation of KPTCL is for representation only