The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has allowed extension in the envisaged completion period of a major HVDC-based transmission scheme in Rajasthan.
In its most recent meeting, NCT has allowed the overall completion period to be increased from the current 42 months to 54 months.
The project in question is “Transmission system for evacuation of power from REZ in Rajasthan (20 GW) under Phase III, Part I” that is housed under the project SPV “Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd.”
As reported by T&D India on August 24, 2023, potential bidder Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) on behalf of HVDC equipment suppliers like GE T&D India, had sought an extension in the completion timeframe from 42 months to 60 months.
After much deliberation, NCT, in its 15th meeting held on August 25, 2023, has revised the overall completion schedule to 54 months — 48 months for Bipole-1 and 54 months for Bipole-2. NCT has also waived off the minimum local content (MLC) requirement of 60 per cent.
The completion period of 48 months and 54 months, discussed above, is measured from the time of transfer of project SPV to the successful bidder.
The project will see deployment of HVDC technology in creating the following assets:
- A 6,000 mw, ±800kV Bhadla HVDC (LCC) terminal station (4 x 1,500 mw) near Bhadla-III substation in Rajasthan
- A 6,000 mw, ±800kV Fatehpur HVDC (LCC) terminal station (4 x 1,500 mw) near Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh
- ±800kV HVDC line between the Bhadla (HVDC) and Fatehpur (HVDC) terminal stations
Bidding deadline also extended
In an independent development, nodal agency REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has also extended the bid submission date to October 27, 2023 from the earlier September 12, 2023 for “Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd.”
Future HVDC projects
For all HVDC projects in future, NCT has recommended a completion timeframe of six months for Bipole-2, measured from completion schedule of Bipole-1. For instance, if the completion period of Bipole-1 is 42 months, that for Bipole-2 would be 48 months.
Featured photograph (source: Hitachi Energy) is for representation only.
