Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has added a significant 1,500 mw of interregional power transfer capacity during the third quarter (Q3: October to December) of FY22.
In a presentation accompanying its Q3FY22 financial results, PGCIL said that it added 1,500 mw of interregional (IR) power transfer capacity during the said quarter (October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021). As of December 31, 2021, India’s total IR capacity stood at 97,920 mw out of which PGCIL could maintain its share of over 85 per cent.
In physical terms, this asset capitalization translated to 1,468 ckm of transmission lines, and two substations with 18,256 MVA of transformation capacity. (This is inclusive of the 1,500 mw IR capacity discussed above).
PGCIL’s cumulative asset capitalization in the April-December period of FY22 stood at Rs.18,513 crore, which was far in excess of the capital expenditure of Rs.7,188 crore in the same period. Incidentally, PGCIL’s capex during Q2 of FY22, at Rs.3493 crore, was the highest quarterly level so far this year. (see table).
Also read: PGCIL Board Approves Rs.678-Crore Investment
Raigarh-Pugalur Scheme
In Q3 of FY22, PGCIL fully commissioned the Raigarh-Pugalur-Trichur HVDC scheme, which will enable power transfer of 6,000 mw between the Western Region and Southern Region of the National Grid. This project was commissioned in phases much earlier but the full commissioning took place during Q3 of FY22.
The project, with an outlay of around Rs.22,000 crore, has three broad components:
- Raigarh-Pugalur HVDC system (6,000 mw, Rs.14,700 crore)
- AC system strengthening at Pugalur end (Rs.2,600 crore)
- Pugalur-Trichur VSC-based HVDC system (2,000 mw, Rs.5,000 crore)
It may be mentioned that the IR capacity of 1,500 mw commissioned in Q3 of FY22 relates to one element of the Raigarh-Pugalur Scheme, according to information available with T&D India. (Click here for more stories on the Raigarh-Pugalur UHVDC link.)
Asset Block
As of December 31, 2021, PGCIL had a total portfolio of 1,72,190 ckm of transmission lines, and 264 substations with transformation capacity of around 4.70 lakh MVA. As of the given date, PGCIL had 23 subsidiaries (including special purpose vehicles for TBCB projects) and 10 joint ventures.
(Note: The capex and capitalization discussed in this story and presented in the table relate to PGCIL and its subsidiaries.)
Featured photograph (source: Sumitomo Electric) shows file pictures during construction of the Pugalur-Trichur VSC-based HVDC link that involved the use of 320kV HVDC cables
