The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has recommended three interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes to the Union power ministry for final clearance.
Collectively estimated to cost nearly Rs.6,000 crore, these schemes will be developed under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) modality. Each of the three schemes (tabulated below) envisages a completion period of 24 months from effective date.
Scheme details
- Scheme #1 will assist evacuation of 17 GW of renewable energy potential identified in Karnataka. Two RE-rich areas of Koppal and Gadag in Karnataka are witnessing significant increase in connectivity applications. To facilitate the same, a new pooling station (PS) “Tumkur-II” is being developed under this scheme. A new 100-km 400kV line from this new PS to the existing Tumkur (Pavagada) substation will also form part of the scheme.
- Scheme #2 aims to optimally utilize the EHVAC transmission system beyond Bikaner-III PS in Rajasthan, while providing flexibility of power transfer from Bhadla/Bikaner RE clusters as well as to increase resiliency of transmission corridor in both the Bhadla and Bikaner complexes. This scheme will mainly involve setting up of a 765kV double-circuit line from Bhadla-III PS to Bikaner-III PS, running around 150 km.
- Scheme #3 aims to facilitate injection or drawl of more than 1,200 mw through the existing 400kV Jam Khambhaliya – Lakadia double-circuit line in Gujarat. This mega scheme involves several elements such as: a new 765/400kV GIS pooling station at Jamnagar through LILO of 400kV Lakadia-Jam Khambhaliya double-circuit line; a 765kV double-circuit line from Halvad to Jamnagar (around 170 km), etc. This ISTS scheme will eventually help in catering to drawl of up to 3.6 GW load in Jamnagar area of Gujarat.
As the schemes cost over Rs.500 crore each, NCT has recommended these for clearance to the Union power ministry. It may be mentioned that ISTS schemes costing up to Rs.100 crore can be cleared autonomously by CTUIL. Those costing between Rs.100 crore and Rs.500 crore need NCT clearance, while those above Rs.500 crore are referred by NCT to the Union power ministry for final clearance. Clearance of a scheme also entails the mode of implementation – whether TBCB or RTM.
It may be mentioned that NCT recently also approved the North Eastern Region Generation Scheme, to be implemented under the TBCB modality. (Read more)
Key to abbreviations: BPC = Bid Process Coordinator; RECPDCL = REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd; PFCCL = PFC Consulting Ltd.
Also read: NCT Recommends TBCB Mode For Three ISTS Schemes
Featured photograph (source: Zetwerk) is for representation only.
