The Eastern Region System Strengthening Scheme (ERSS)—XXI, which is being implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) under the TBCB route, is on the way to full completion.
According to a latest status report by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), ERSS-XXI, several components of which have already been commissioned, is scheduled for full completion by end of September 2021.
ERSS-XXI is being developed by PGCIL, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route, by its wholly-owned subsidiary “Powergrid Mithilanchal Transmission Ltd”, which, incidentally, was incorporated by the bid process coordinator as “ERSS XXI Transmission Ltd”
ERSS-XXI, with an estimated outlay of around Rs.1,300 crore, has several components – transmission lines and substations.
The unfinished portion of ERSS-XXI mainly includes a new substation at Saharsa in Bihar. The construction contract for this 400/220/132kV, (2×500 MVA + 3×200 MVA) substation was awarded to Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India. Initially scheduled to commission in March this year, the substation project was hampered by pandemic-induced restrictions. As of August 31, 2021, civil work to the extent of 99 per cent and equipment erection worth 95 per cent was complete.
Another project element is physically complete but will be commissioned along with the aforementioned Saharsa substation. The element in question is the LILO of Kishanganj-Patna 400kV D/C line at Saharsa (New) substation.
The major components of ERSS-XXI that have already been completed include:
Incidentally, commissioning of the Chandauti substation was recently announced by project contractor Linxon.. The substation was commissioned in March 2021 though.
Project background
The rationale behind establishing ERSS-XXI is to meet the growing electricity demand in Bihar. In FY17, Bihar’s electricity demand, in unrestricted mode, was around 3,717 mw. However, after the subsequent segregation of agricultural feeders, the eastern state’s power demand is expected to reach 11,000 mw this year. To meet this growth in demand, ERSS-XXI was conceived, envisaging 4,900 MVA of additional transformation capacity and 500 ckm of new transmission lines.
PGCIL was declared as the successful bidder for ERSS-XXI in October 2017 with the handing over of the letter of intent. The formal acquisition of the project SPV was done in January 2018.
Featured photograph shows the Chandauti substation, one of the commissioned elements of ERSS-XXI, built by Linxon India (Photo: Linxon)
