A new interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme for providing additional connectivity at the Krishnagiri pooling substation (PS) in Andhra Pradesh has been newly approved.
The National Committee on Transmission (NCT), in its latest meeting, approved the scheme for development under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework.
Termed “Additional transmission system for grant of connectivity at Krishnagiri PS under Phase-I scheme,” the scheme is expected to cost Rs.385.92 crore and has a scheduled completion date of August 3, 2029. REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has been named as the bid process coordinator (BPC).
A relatively small scheme in terms of its capital cost, it entails augmentation of transformation capacity of the Krishnagiri PS near Kodumur in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, by 2,500 MVA. This is to be achieved by putting up 5×500 MVA, 400/220kV interconnecting transformers (ICT), which would serially be the sixth to tenth at the pooling substation.
The project also involves putting up 220kV line bays for dedicated transmission lines associated with RE generation projects connected to the pooling station.
Background
The new Krishnagiri scheme is basically an augmentation project at the Krishnagiri PS that is coming up as an element of another ISTS scheme housed under “Krishnagiri REZ Transmission Ltd,” which was acquired by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) on August 3, 2026, under the TBCB modality. This scheme is scheduled for completion in 36 months – by August 3, 2029 – that is also the scheduled completion date of the new Krishnagiri scheme under discussion. The Krishnagiri REZ scheme awarded to PGCIL is termed as “Transmission system for integration of Krishnagiri REZ Phase-I” and entails development of the 765/400kV, 4×1500 MVA and 400/220kV, 5×500 MVA Krishnagiri PS, among other elements.
Connectivity of about 1,450 MW at 220kV level has already been granted or agreed for grant at the upcoming Krishnagiri PS. Connectivity applications of another 5,896 MW have already been received.
The Krishnagiri transmission system (Phase-I) is expected to address RE capacity of 4.5 GW at 220kV level. While the upcoming Krishnagiri PS has transformation capacity of 2,500 MW coming from 5×500 MVA, 400/220kV ICTs, this capacity would need to be replicated to address the additional connectivity applications. The newly-approved Krishnagiri scheme intends to do just this.
On completion of the two schemes – Krishnagiri REZ (under construction) and Krishnagiri augmentation (newly approved) – the Krishnagiri PS will have total transformation capacity of 10×500 MVA (5 GW) at 220kV level, which is in tune with the 4.5 GW requirement under Phase-I.
RE potential in Kurnool
The total RE potential in Andhra Pradesh is estimated at 51 GW, out of which Kurnool has the highest, at 23 GW, followed by Anantapur with 20 GW and Kadapa with 8 GW.
Reorganization of schemes
Included among several schemes approved to address RE evacuation requirements in Andhra Pradesh were Kurnool-V REZ (Phase-I) and Ananthapuram-III REZ (Phase-I).
It was later felt that connectivity applications associated with the two pooling stations could be addressed by other substations coming up in the vicinity. However, it was later decided to pursue Kurnool-V whilst keeping Ananthapuram-III on hold. The Kurnool-V PS envisaged under the former was later renamed to Krishnagiri PS. Read tndindia.com story dated January 14, 2026 for more details.
Featured photograph (source: Bajel Projects) is for representation only