The National Committee on Transmission (NCT), in its recent meeting, has proposed that an interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme for evacuation of renewable energy from the Khavda RE Park in Gujarat be implemented using a combination of TBCB and RTM modalities.
With an overall cost of over Rs.19,000 crore, the ISTS scheme is officially termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from potential renewable energy (RE) zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase IV (7 GW).”
The overall scheme has been divided into eight components – four major (A, B, C and D) and four minor (E1, E2, E3 and E4).
As can be seen from the table, Parts A, B, C, D and E2, will be implemented using the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route while the remaining three (E1, E3 and E4) will go with the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) modality.
It may be mentioned that each of the TBCB component of this scheme costs over Rs.500 crore, which is why NCT has recommended these components to the Union power ministry for final clearance. The RTM components have been approved by NCT as the entity is empowered to clear schemes costing between Rs.100 crore and Rs.500 crore, autonomously.
Background
The 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.
It is learnt that connectivity applications for 18.605 GW (KPS-I: 9 GW, KPS-II: 3.755 GW and KPS-III: 5.85 GW) have already been received till January 2023. (KPS stands for Khavda Pooling Station.)
Considering the rapid pace of connectivity applications being received in Khavda area, Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd proposed that the total RE potential in the Khavda area be considered as 30 GW. Thus, a power evacuation system for the remaining 15 GW is now being considered under two phases – Phase-IV (7 GW) and Phase-V (8 GW). It may be mentioned that Phase-V will involve HVDC infrastructure.
Why RTM?
As discussed earlier, three components — E1, E3 and E4 – of Phase IV will be developed under the RTM route. This is because these components represent augmentation of infrastructure already under development under the preceding phases of the overall Khavda RE evacuation system. Accordingly, E1 will be developed under the RTM route by “Khavda Bhuj Transmission Ltd,” a subsidiary of Adani Transmission Ltd, that is developing a component under Phase-I, under the TBCB modality.
On similar grounds, E3 will be developed in RTM mode by “KPS3 Transmission Ltd,” a subsidiary of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). Component E4 will be developed directly by PGCIL under the RTM route; there is no TBCB subsidiary involved.
Also read: NCT Recommends TBCB Mode For Three ISTS Schemes
Bid process coordinator
As seen from the table above, three TBCB components (Part A, Part C and Part E2) will have REC Power Development & Consulting Ltd as the bid process coordinator (BPC) while bidding of the remaining two (Part B and Part D) will be coordinated by PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL).
Featured photograph is for representation only.
