Sterlite Power has announced the commissioning of one of the most challenging transmission projects globally, the Northern Region Strengthening Scheme 29 (NRSS 29).
This key project, 414 km long, will ensure reliable power access for the Valley by augmenting the power transmission capacity of Jammu & Kashmir by at least 33 per cent.
The line has been commissioned two months ahead of schedule to allow benefits to be reaped during this winter. The company deployed helicranes in the Pir Panjal range to overcome challenges of high altitude, snow and inaccessible terrains. Proper planning has been done to ensure the line can sustain the elements during harsh winters in the Valley, a release from Sterlite Power said.
Pratik Agarwal, Group CEO, Sterlite Power, said, “This project is a real manifestation of living our core purpose ‘empowering humanity by addressing the toughest challenges of energy delivery’. We have surmounted numerous challenges to finish this project ahead of schedule and feel very proud of the social impact it’ll have in the Valley. We are among handful of global transmission developers, with projects worth Rs 268 billion across India and Brazil, solving toughest challenges of energy delivery.”
Sterlite Power had clinched the NRSS 29 project in August 2014 by quoting a levelized tariff of around Rs.437.705 crore per year. According to information available, Power Grid Corporation of India was the L2 bidder. The major elements of this transmission scheme are: 7 x 105 MVA, 400/220kV GIS substation at Amargarh; 400kV Jalandhar–Samba double-circuit transmission line; 400kV Samba-Amargarh double-circuit line route through Akhnoor and Rajouri; and LILO of both circuits of 400kV Uri – Wagoora double-circuit line at Amargarh.
Srinagar-Leh transmission scheme delayed
Power Grid Corporation of India, in August 2014, had started work on another major transmission scheme in J&K – the 220kV Srinagar-Kargil-Leh transmission line, which aims to connect the Ladakh region to the National Grid. The project was to be completed by September 2017.
However, the deadline was extended to September 2018 but the project is yet to see full completion. In view of the impending winter, the fresh commissioning date is indeterminable, as of now. The Rs.1,788 crore project, which has seen a cost escalation of over Rs.500 crore so far, involves 375 km of single-circuit transmission line at 220kV from Srinagar (Alusteng) to Leh, via Kargil and four 220/66kV GIS substations at Drass, Kargil, Leh and Khalsti.
In November 2017, PGCIL completed and charged the 220kV single-circuit Leh-Khalsti line spanning 63 km and two substations—at Leh and Khalsti.
(Featured photograph, sourced from Sterlite Power, shows helicranes that were deployed by Sterlite Power during the execution of NRSS 29)