Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has been declared as the successful bidder for two transmission schemes, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mode.
In a stock exchange filing, PGCIL said both the projects involve evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan.
The first project is officially described as “Transmission system strengthening scheme for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan (8.1 GW) under phase II – Part A”. The transmission schemes involves establishment of a new 400/220kV substation, 400kV double-circuit transmission lines and associated substation works in Rajasthan.
The second project is also on similar lines, described as ““Transmission system strengthening scheme for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan (8.1 GW) under phase II – Part B”.
Both the projects will be developed under the build, own, operate and maintain (BOOM) model. The letters of intent of both the projects were issued to PGCIL on January 29, 2021.
Other details
According to information independently available, REC Ltd (formerly, Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd) is the nodal agency for both the aforementioned projects. REC had invited bids for these two projects in December 2020. In fact, there are three projects under this tender—“Part C”, in addition to Part A and Part B awarded to PGCIL. It is likely that Part C has been awarded to a different developer, though no details are immediately available.
PGCIL, the selected bidder, is expected to complete its projects (Part A and Part B) in 16 months.
The entire transmission scheme (Parts A, B and C) involves setting up of evacuation infrastructure for 8.1 GW worth of solar parks/complexes coming up in Rajasthan. These are Bikaner (2.95 GW), Fatehgarh (2.2 GW), Ramgarh (1.9 GW) and Bhadla (1.05 GW).
The special purpose vehicle for Part A of the project is Ramgarh New Transmission Ltd and that for Part B is Fatehgarh Bhadla Transco Ltd. Both these SPVs will now be transferred to PGCIL, the successful bidder.
(Featured photograph is an aerial view of the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan)