Seven bidders, including a new entrant, have qualified for opening of initial price bids for an ISTS-TBCB scheme housed under “Raghanesda RE Transmission Ltd” and taking shape in Gujarat.
The new entrant – Kalthia Engineering & Construction Ltd – is a Gujarat-based civil construction contractor engaged mainly in roads, highways and irrigation projects. For KECL, the Raghanesda RE project could mean a potential diversification in the power transmission space.
Another aspirant KCC Buildcon Pvt Ltd is also relatively new to the power transmission space. Though this Gurugram-based entity has no power transmission projects (as developer) yet, it had technically qualified for one ISTS-TBCB scheme in FY25.
The remaining five bidders in the fray include seasoned players — Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) and Resonia (formerly Sterlite Power) – as well as new entrants in the ISTS-TBCB space – Torrent Power, Reliance Industries Ltd and Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd. The latter three players have one ISTS-TBCB each in their power transmission development portfolio. While Torrent debuted in FY24, the other two won their first project in FY25.
The project
The ISTS scheme housed under “Raghanesda RE Transmission Ltd” is termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from Raghanesda area of Gujarat – 3 GW (Phase I).” With an estimated outlay of Rs.1,885 crore and a gestation period of 30 months, the scheme seeks to enable evacuation of 3 GW of renewable energy from the Raghanesda region in Banaskantha district of Gujarat.
The scheme envisages a new 765/400kV, 4×1500 MVA GIS substation at Raghanesda and a 765kV double-circuit line connecting this to the Banaskantha substation of PGCIL, apart from a host of associated infrastructure.
PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) is acting as the bid process coordinator of this scheme.
ISTS-TBCB in FY26
During the current fiscal year so far (up to June 7, 2025), two ISTS-TBCB schemes have been formally transferred to winning developers. While PGCIL recently acquired “MEL Power Transmission Ltd,” AESL was formally awarded “WRNES Talegaon Power Transmission Ltd.”
Meanwhile, apart from Raghanesda RE Transmission, PFCCL is expected to soon announce the winning developer for two ISTS-TBCB schemes – NER Expansion Transmission Ltd and Kandla GHA Transmission Ltd. (Read T&D India story for more details.)
Featured photograph (source: Adani Energy Solutions Ltd) is for representation only
