Bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has recently shortlisted six bidders for opening of initial prices bids for an ISTS scheme aiming at strengthening interregional transfer between the Southern Region (SR) and Western Region (WR) grids.
With an estimated cost of Rs.1,007 crore and a gestation period of 24 months, this scheme has been housed under project special purpose vehicle “SR WR Power Transmission Ltd,” currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of RECPDCL.
This project SPV is expected to be formally hand over to the successful developer by October 6, 2025, according to the latest available schedule.
Seasoned players Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL, Resonia and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) feature in the list of shortlisted bidders, alongside Torrent Power, Enerica Infra 1 Pvt Ltd (a majority-owned subsidiary of IndiGrid) and Montecarlo Ltd.
Re-entry
Gujarat-based Montecarlo Ltd is an infrastructure player, operating largely under the EPC model, covering areas like roads & highways, irrigation, power T&D, etc. The SR-WR project marks the company’s re-entry in the ISTS-TBCB bidding space after a gap of over two years. According to information available with tndindia.com, Montecarlo was last seen in the ISTS-TBCB space in 2022 when it was amongst those qualified for an ISTS-TBCB scheme housed under “Rajgarh Transmission Ltd” that was eventually acquired by G R Infraprojects Ltd, and is since commissioned.
Project details
The project, as the name suggests, entails improving the interregional transfer between the SR and WR grids. This would be achieved by a new 765kV double-circuit line between Parli New substation (Maharashtra, WR) to Bidar Pooling Station (Karnataka, SR). This line, of approximate length 240 ckm, will be equipped with 765kV, 240 MVAR SLR (switchable line reactors) on both circuits at the Bidar PS end.
Other interregional schemes
Another interregional scheme to improve transfer between SR and ER is also currently under bidding with PFC Consulting Ltd acting as the bid process coordinator. Housed under “SR and ER Power Transmission Ltd,” the scheme is estimated to cost Rs.2,710 crore and has an implementation timeframe of 30 months.
It may be recalled that PGCIL was recently named successful bidder for yet another interregional scheme involving the NR and WR grids, incorporated under “Vindhyachal Varanasi Transmission Ltd.” (Read tndindia.com story dated September 18, 2025)
Featured photograph (source: Adani Energy Solutions Ltd) is for representation only