HVDC transmission planned for Khavda RE scheme

 

Significant power transmission infrastructure involving HVDC technology has been envisaged for a major evacuation scheme related to the Khavda Renewable Energy (RE) zone in Gujarat.

The ISTS scheme, officially known as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-V (8 GW),” was reviewed at a recent meeting of National Committee on Transmission (NCT).

Estimated to cost over Rs.36,000 crore, the scheme entails HVDC infrastructure at both ±500kV and ±800kV levels. As can be seen from the table, the two major components (Part A and Part C) will be developed under TBCB modality, while a small component – Part A1 – will be implemented under the RTM (regulated tariff mechanism) route by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) as it is the owner of the Wardha substation – a transmission element closely associated with Part A1.

Part A, estimated to cost Rs.24,819 crore, will involve, among others, the 6,000 mw, ±800kV KPS2 HVDC [LCC] terminal station in Gujarat, and an identical station at Nagpur in Maharashtra. Connecting the two will be a 1,200 km (route length) HVDC bipole line capable of evacuating 6,000 mw.

Part C will mainly include the 2,500 mw, ±500kV KPS3 HVDC [VSC] terminal station and the 2,500 mw, ± 500kV KPS3 HVDC [VSC] terminal station – both in Gujarat.

Part A and Part C have been recommended by NCT to the Union power ministry for final clearance.

It may be mentioned that Part B of this scheme basically involves augmentation of transformation capacity at the two GIS substations — KPS2 and KPS3. Since this augmentation will require infrastructure envisaged in Part C to first come up, Part B will be deliberated upon only after completion of Part C.

As already discussed in the story relating to Phase IV (7 GW) of the Khavda RE evacuation scheme, transmission system for evacuation of 15 GW of power from the Khavda RE Park in Gujarat has evolved under three phases (Phase-I: 3 GW, Phase-II: 5 GW and Phase-III: 7 GW). Phase-I and Phase-II are under construction while Phase-III is under bidding. In view of large number of connectivity applications received, Phase IV (7 GW) and Phase V (8 GW) have been planned with a view to set up a total 30 GW of evacuation from the Khavda RE park.

Also read: HVDC Transmission Commands 30 Pc Share In FY21

Featured photograph (source: Siemens) is for representation only.