Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), in a very recent order, has stated that Khavda-Bhuj Transmission Ltd is fit to receive interstate transmission licence, subject to the fulfillment of customary conditions.
In its order dated April 29, 2022, CERC has directed Khavda-Bhuj Transmission Ltd (KBTL) to issue a public notice inviting suggestions/objections with respect to the transmission license. Objections/suggestions are expected to be put before CERC before May 20, 2022.
CERC has also directed KBTL to file an affidavit by May 16, 2022, to the effect that project execution shall not be delayed due to time taken in obtaining statutory clearances as envisaged in the request for proposal (RfP).
The project specific vehicle Khavda-Bhuj Transmission Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Transmission Ltd. KBTL clinched the project officially termed as “Transmission scheme for evacuation of 3 GW renewable energy injection at Khavda Pooling Station (PS) under Phase-1”.
KBTL won the project under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism by quoting the winning levelized tariff of Rs.100.033 crore per year.
Accordingly, Adani Transmission Ltd acquired KBTL (originally a wholly owned subsidiary of bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd) on January 18, 2022.
The Gujarat-centric project, envisaged for completion within 24 months, entails the development of several project elements, mainly the 3×1500 MVA 765/400 kV Khavda PS GIS substation and a 765kV double-circuit transmission line from the aforesaid substation to the Bhuj Pooling Station.
At the RfP stage, there were seven bidders in the fray — Power Grid Corporation of India, Adani Transmission, Sterlite Grid 12, Megha Engineering & Infrastructure, Kalptaru Power Transmission, Tata Power and Torrent Power.
At the final stage (post e-reverse auction), only three bidders remained in the race of which Adani Transmission, with a annual tariff quote of Rs.100.033 crore, was declared winner. The other two were Power Grid Corporation of India (Rs.100.284 crore) and Torrent Power (Rs.104.151 crore).
Also read: Koppal-Narendra Transmission Secures Transmission Licence From CERC
The long term transmission customer (LTTC) of the project is Adani Renewable Energy Holding Four Ltd with whom the transmission service agreement (TSA) was signed on August 19, 2021 and become effective from January 18, 2022.
Featured photograph for representation only