After two months of drawing blank, ongoing fiscal year 2022-23 saw its first addition of 765kV lines in June 2022.
According to the latest reports issued by Central Electricity Authority, the month of June 2022 saw the addition of 243 ckm of 765kV transmission lines, coming from two projects. This is the first month of FY23 that has seen 765kV line addition after the two unyielding months of April and May 2022.
While one 765kV line was added by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), the other came from the private sector – Sterlite Power. The total quantum of addition stood at 243 ckm.
PGCIL commissioned a 106-ckm line in Gujarat. This project was in fact the reconfiguration of the existing line from Bhuj Pooling Station to Lakadia Pooling Station in Gujarat. Thanks to this project, the Bhuj-II – Lakadia line as well as the Bhuj — Bhuj-II line have now been established. Both are double-circuits lines at 765kV rating.
The overall project is being implemented in TBCB mode by PGCIL under “Powergrid Bhuj Transmission Ltd.” The aforementioned reconfiguration aims to improving ISTS grid connectivity to various renewable energy projects coming up around the Bhuj-II Pooling Station in Gujarat.
Sterlite Power commissioned the 765kV Dharamjaygarh Pool Section B – Raigarh (Tamnar) Pool double-circuit line, covering 137 ckm in June 2022. This line is a project element of an ISTS project that Sterlite Power won under the TBCB modality. The overall project, costing Rs.1,531 crore, is being developed by project SPV “Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd.”
Also read: PGCIL Commissions 765kV Interregional Connector Link In TBCB Mode
During FY23, only 1,658 ckm of 765kV lines are envisaged for commissioning. Most of these, aggregating 1,372 ckm, will be contributed by private sector developers through interstate TBCB projects. PGCIL is expected to add only 273 ckm in FY23, out of which the achievement up to end-June 2022 was 106 ckm. (Related story)
In FY22, a total of 4,933 ckm of 765kV lines were commissioned. Proceedings were dominated by PGCIL that built 2,337 ckm of such lines. Interestingly, state utilities contributed a significant 1,321 ckm followed by the private sector with 1,275 ckm.
Featured photograph (source: Siemens) is for representation only
