Kallam Transmission Ltd, a project special purpose vehicle that is developing an interstate transmission system (ISTS) project in the TBCB mode, has been entrusted with an additional component to be built under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) modality.
In a meeting held on November 15, 2022, the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) recommended the transmission scheme “Augmentation of transformation capacity at Kallam Pooling Station” to Kallam Transmission Ltd, under the RTM mode.
Kallam Transmission Ltd is a consortium of IndiGrid 1 Ltd (lead member) and IndiGrid 2 Ltd, and is already developing an ISTS scheme formally known as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from renewable energy projects in Osmanabad area (1 GW) in Maharashtra,” under the TBCB mode.
The additional RTM component has an estimated cost of Rs.156.89 crore and is expected for completion within 18 months from the NCT approval date.
This project entails augmentation of the Kallam Pooling Station by 2×500 MVA, 400/220kV ICTs along with 220kV bays for renewable energy (RE) integration. The Kallam PS augmentation will be achieved by installing two 500 MVA, 400/220kV ICTs (interconnecting transformers) that will be the third and fourth ICTs at the site. Besides, there will be two 400kV ICT bays, among other elements. The RE integration will be achieved through three 220kV line bays. There will also be a 1×125 MVAR, 420kV bus reactor (the second at the site) at the Kallam PS.
Original Project
Meanwhile, the underlying TBCB project is currently under active construction with the EPC contract awarded in January 2022. The project, with an estimated outlay of Rs.245 crore, is scheduled for completion by June 2023.
The project broadly involves setting up a new 2×500 MVA, 400/220kV substation near Kallam PS; a 1×125 MVAR, 420kV bus reactor at Kallam PS; and, LILO of both circuits of the 400kV double-circuit Parli-Pune line at Kallam PS.
As of end-October 2022, Kallam Transmission Ltd had completed 40 per cent of the substation engineering works. With respect to the LILO transmission line (with a total length of 18 km), survey and route profiling has been completed. Besides, around 40 per cent of the transmission line engineering works stood completed. Approval for tapping arrangement of both circuits of the Parli-Pune line (owned by Western Transco Power Ltd – an Adani Power entity) was received in September 2022.
InvIT
India Grid Trust (IndiGrid), it may be mentioned, is India’s first power sector-related infrastructure investment trust (InvIT). The Kallam Transmission project is also the first instance of an InvIT developing a greenfield transmission project, according to information available with T&D India.
In September 2022, T&D India had got in touch with Harsh Shah, CEO, IndiGrid to know more about Kallam Transmission Ltd. (Read full interview)
Featured photograph showing an operational power transmission project in IndiGrid’s portfolio is for representation only.
