The Pugalur-Madakkathara HVDC corridor in Kerala, the third component of the 800kV Raigarh-Pugalur HVDC link, has entered its final construction phase.
Commissioning of this 165-km line is expected within November 2020 itself. Project owner Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) started construction on this 320kV line in May 2018. On commissioning, this HVDC extension line will enable Kerala to import up to 2,000 mw from the 800kV bipole Raigarh-Pugalur HVDC line.
It may be recalled that the first pole of the Raigarh-Pugalur line was commissioned recently and the entire line, with a transmission capacity of up to 6,000 mw, is scheduled for completion by December 2020. (Read more).
The Pugalur to Madakkathara (Thrissur) line, falling entirely in Kerala, is expected to cost Rs.1,474 crore. The 153-km line involves a 138-km overhead component from Pugalur to Wadakkanchery and a 27-km underground cable from Wadakkanchery to Madakkathara. This Pugalur-Madakkathara HVDC line is technologically unique as it deploys for the first time in India, voltage source converter (VSC)-based technology. Also, the 27-km underground component was conceived to overcome severe right-of-way constraints.
Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), the state’s power utility, had assigned a special task force for completing the project on time. The state government had also announced a special package for land acquisition to avoid delays.
Impact on Kerala
The Pugalur-Madakkathara HVDC line was added to the Raigarh-Pugalur HVDC system on the request of Kerala. With the southern state now able to import up to 2,000 mw of electricity from this line, it is expected that transmission losses will reduce, the voltage profile will improve, and power deficit will substantially alleviate.
Both domestic and commercial consumers stand to benefit from the new transmission system. It will also facilitate uninterrupted power supply to industrial ventures being set up as part of the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, a statement by the Kerala government noted.
Featured photograph (source: Nexans) showing underground cable laying is for illustration only
