In a recent order, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has adopted the transmission charges relating to the project being developed by “Kishtwar Transmission Ltd,” a subsidiary of Sterlite Power.
Sterlite Power won the project under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route by quoting the winning annualized tariff of Rs.38.846 crore per year. In the final e-reverse auction round, Sterlite Power got the better of Adani Transmission (quote: Rs.38.946 crore per year) and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (Rs.39.843 crore per year).
It may be mentioned that four bidders – Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), in addition to the above three – had submitted their initial price bids. MEIL, however, did not participate in the e-reverse auction.
In an earlier recent order, CERC had granted an interstate transmission licence to Kishtwar Transmission Ltd.
The project scope is termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from Pakal Dul hydropower project in Chenab Valley hydropower projects – connectivity system.”
The project elements involved are:
- Establishment of 400/132kV pooling station at Kishtwar GIS along with bus reactor at Kishtwar pooling station by LILO of one circuit of 400kV double-circuit (quad) Kishenpur-Dulhasti line (currently single-strung)
- LILO of one circuit of 400kV double-circuit (quad) Kishenpur-Dulhasti line, at Kishtwar
- Two 400kV bays at Kishtwar GIS
- One 400kV line bay at Kishtwar (GIS) for second circuit stringing of Kishtwar – Kishenpur section 400kV line bay
- 7×66.67 MVA, I-Phase 400/132kV ICT along with associated bays at Kishtwar pooling station
- Four 132 kV line bays (GIS)
Elements #1 to #4 are to be commissioned by April 1, 2025 to match the envisaged commissioning schedule of the Pakal Dul hydropower project, being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (Pvt) Ltd (CVPPL). Elements #5 and #6 will be implemented to match the commissioning of the new Kishtwar GIS pooling station.
It may be mentioned that the Pakal Dul hydropower project located in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir is likely to commission by September 2026, by current thinking.
The identified Long Term Transmission Customers (LTTCs) of the project are CVPPL and J&K Power Development Department (JKPDD).
Extension sought
It appears that Sterlite Power has sought extension in the existing scheduled commissioning date (of April 1, 2025) as there was a delay in acquisition of the project SPV. This delay has reduced the time available for project commissioning. CERC, in its orders, has given Sterlite Power the liberty to approach CERC, in this regard, through a separate petition.
“…the issue raised by the petitioner (Kishtwar Transmission Ltd) regarding delay in acquisition of the petitioner company cannot be dealt with in the present petition and the petitioner may approach the Commission in this regard after execution of the project which shall be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the CERC order said to this effect.
Also Read: Sterlite Power achieves financial closure for Kishtwar TBCB project
Featured photograph is a file picture of civil construction work underway at the Pakal Dul hydropower project site. (Photo: CVPPL)
