In a recent order, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has granted transmission licence to Powergrid Aligarh Sikar Transmission Ltd that is implementing a power evacuation scheme in Rajasthan, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route.
Powergrid Aligarh Sikar Transmission Ltd (PASTL), formerly known as Sikar-II Aligarh Transmission Ltd, was acquired by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), under the TBCB modality.
PASTL will be implementing an intrastate power transmission scheme officially known as “Transmission system strengthening scheme for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan (8.1 GW) under Phase II (Part D),” on build, own, operate and maintain (BOOM) basis.
GIB issue
CERC, in its order, also granted time extension to PASTL to complete the project. However, the revised scheduled commercial operation date (SCOD) is not yet available. It may be mentioned that as per the transmission service agreement (TSA), the project was scheduled for completion within 18 months of the effective TSA date of June 4, 2021. This would imply completion date of December 4, 2022.
However, as this project (along with few others) falls under the potential habitat of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the project was referred to the Supreme Court. In April 2021, the Supreme Court issued directives on implementation strategies for such GIB-affected projects. With the result, the project was put on hold. As project implementation was delayed for reasons beyond the control of PASTL, CERC deemed it fit to grant relaxation in the SCOD.
Scope of project
Among several other elements, the Aligarh-Sikar scheme involves construction of 765kV double-circuit line from Sikar-II to Aligarh, and two 765kV line bays for the aforementioned line. The project is estimated to cost around Rs.1,000 crore and PGCIL won this project by quoting a levelized tariff of Rs.99.701 crore per year.
Also read: PGCIL Receives Letter Of Intent For Khetri-Narela TBCB Transmission Project
Current status
According to information available independently, Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd (KPTL) has been awarded the EPC contract for building the 765kV double-circuit line from Sikar-II to Aligarh. As of April 30, 2022, of the 664 foundations entailed by the 254-km line, a total of 543 foundations were completed and 391 towers erected. Stringing was completed to the extent of 23 km.
Of the two 765kV line bays at Sikar-II and Aligarh substations, land acquisition was underway for the former. In the case of the Aligarh substation line bay, land is available and civil works were completed to the extent of 35 per cent, as of April 30, 2022.
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