Bidding has recently begun for development of an intrastate transmission system (InSTS) scheme in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mode.
Bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) has invited technical and financial bids from prospective bidders, with the last date of submission currently standing at February 28, 2025.
This InSTS-TBCB project is housed under special purpose vehicle “Wahipora and Sallar Transmission Ltd” that is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of PFCCL and which will be eventually transferred to the selected developer.
The project, scheduled to commission in 18 months from the SPV transfer date, involves a large number of grid substations and transmission lines, of up to 220kV, aimed at strengthening the intrastate transmission network in the UT of J&K. The project will be developed under the build, own, operate & transfer (BOOT) model with Jammu & Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (JKPTCL) being the grantor of concession.
The scheme envisages development the following new substations:
- 315 MVA (3×105+1×105), 220/132/11kV GIS grid substation at Wahipora
- 160 MVA(3×53.33+1×53.33), 220/33 kV GIS grid substation at Sallar
- 2×160 MVA, 220/13 kV grid substation at Rajouri [“Rajouri-II”]
- 2×160 MVA, 220/132kV & 2×50 MVA 132/33kV GIS grid substation at Katra [“Katra-II”]
- 2×160 MVA, 220/132kV & 2×50 MVA 132/33kV at Domana [“Akhnoor-II”]
- 160 MVA (3×53.33+1×53.33), 220/66/11kV grid substation at Baghthali
There will also be capacity augmentation to the existing Katra GIS substation of JKPTCL. A big network of lines connecting the new substations and the existing substations of PGCIL and JKPTCL form an integral component of the project.
The “Siot” ISTS link
In its entirety, this entire project seeks to offer downstream connectivity from the Siot substation that is coming up as part of the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network.
The Siot substation will be developed under a separate ISTS-TBCB scheme termed as “Creation of 400/220kV, 2×315 MVA substation at Siot (earlier Akhnoor/Rajouri) As ISTS” and for which PFCCL itself is acting as the bid process coordinator.
Interestingly, this scheme, housed under “Siot Transmission Ltd” and for which bidding was initiated way back in in February 2022, has been put in abeyance. The reason for this was that that the downstream network plan in the UT of J&K was pending finalization. Now that the plan has been finalized and is currently under bidding (through “Wahipora and Sallar Transmission Ltd” as discussed in this story), it is likely that bidding for Siot Transmission Ltd will now be revived.
Change in scope
It may also be noted that PFCCL was entrusted with an InSTS-TBCB scheme called “Construction of grid substation at Wahipora and Sallar, Kashmir and allied transmission system”. In fact, even the technical consultant was appointed. However, according to an informed source, this scheme stands cancelled as its project scope has now been subsumed under “Wahipora and Sallar Transmission Ltd,” which is now under bidding.
Appointment as BPC
On July, 19, 2024, JKPTCL named PFCCL as bid process coordinator for the following three InSTS projects:
- Construction of grid substations at Wahipora and Sallar, Kashmir, and allied transmission systems
- Laying of downstream transmission network from upcoming 400/220kV grid substation at Siot, Rajouri (ISTS)
- Construction of 220kV grid substation at Bhagthali, Kathua along with new 220kV line/LILO tapping from existing 220kV single-circuit Sarna-Hiranagar line
All these three projects are covered under the InSTS-TBCB scheme “Wahipora and Sallar Transmission Ltd” discussed in this story.
Also read: Bidding underway for all NCT-approved green hydrogen ISTS schemes
Featured photograph (source: JKPTCL) showing the 70 MVA, 132/33kV Draba grid substation in the Jammu region is for representation only.
