A major interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme aimed at evacuating 3.5 GW of renewable energy from Rajasthan is in the offing.
The scheme is officially called “Transmission system for evacuation of power from Fatehgarh/Barmer complex as part of Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 4: 3.5GW)”
Expected to cost over Rs.12,000 crore, the scheme will be deliberated upon by the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) in its ensuing meeting.
The ISTS scheme aims at evacuating 1 GW of solar energy from the Fatehgarh-IV complex and another 2.5 GW of solar energy from the Barmer-I complex, both in Rajasthan.
It is learnt that currently connectivity of about 9 GW has already been granted at the two aforementioned locations – 5 GW at Fatehgarh-IV and 4 GW at Barmer-I Pooling Station.
Of this 9 GW, evacuation infrastructure for 5.5 GW has been covered through a composite scheme called “Transmission system for evacuation of power from Jaisalmer/Barmer complex as part of Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 2: 5.5GW)”. This scheme is being implemented through various sub-components – including at least seven under the TBCB modality. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) recently won the letter of intent for developing two such components.
The scheme under discussion will address the remaining 3.5 GW and is estimated to cost Rs.12,105 crore. It is scheduled to be commissioned within a timeframe of 24 months from the date of award. To ease implementation, the project has been divided into two components – Part A (Rs.5,846 crore) and Part B (Rs.6,529 crore) – that will be awarded independently but with matching commissioning schedules.
Taken together, the two components aim to put up over 1,000 km of transmission lines, largely of the 765kV type. The overall project, apart from several other transmission elements, also entails setting up of a new 765/400kV Metra-II substation, apart from significant augmentation of capacity at the Barmer-I pooling station.
As each of these scheme components are estimated to cost over Rs.500 crore, the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) will need to recommend the same to the Union power ministry for final clearance. NCT will also determine whether the schemes are to be implemented under the RTM or TBCB route, and if TBCB, assign bid process coordinators.
Also read: Major RE Evacuation Schemes Planned For Khavda Region In Gujarat
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