The recently released National Electricity Plan (Transmission — Vol.2) suggests that over Rs.1.2 trillion worth of interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes have been awarded under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route, so far.
According to the document, since the advent of the TBCB regime (in early 2011) up to September 30, 2023, a total of 92 ISTS schemes, entailing investment of Rs.1,23,725 crore, have been awarded so far.
These 92 schemes include 47 that have already been commissioned (see table), 41 that were under implementation as of September 30, 2023, and four schemes that have been scrapped.
Besides, another 41 schemes were under bidding stage, as of September 30, 2023, making a total of 129 schemes under all possible stages, excluding the four schemes scrapped.
As can be seen from the summary table, the 47 ISTS-TBCB schemes commissioned have resulted in the creation of substantial 765kV infrastructure – 16,400 ckm of lines and 36,500 MVA of transformation capacity. Over 20,500 ckm of 765kV lines and 1,50,000 MVA of 765kV transformation capacity can be further expected from ISTS-TBCB schemes that are under execution or under bidding.
In terms of 400kV transmission infrastructure, the actual addition through ISTS-TBCB schemes commissioned up to September 30, 2023 was 13,189 ckm of lines and 19,360 MVA of substation (transformation) capacity. Anticipated addition of 400kV infrastructure through schemes under implementation and under bidding stands at nearly 10,000 ckm of lines and about 57,500 MVA of transformation capacity.
It is interesting to note that while no HVDC-based infrastructure has been created so far through ISTS-TBCB schemes commissioned or under implementation, it is expected that 5,500 ckm of HVDC lines and 14,500 MW of transformation (transfer) capacity schemes under bidding. One such ISTS-TBCB scheme envisaging HVDC infrastructure relates to renewable energy evacuation from Khavda in Gujarat. This project has been housed under SPV “Khavda III HVDC Transmission Ltd.”
Latest status
The above discussion shows the status with respect to end-September 2023. In subsequent months, several ISTS-TBCB schemes that then under bidding are now under implementation. According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), as of December 31, 2023, a total of 48 ISTS-TBCB schemes were commissioned and 47 were under implementation.
Also Read: NEP envisages Rs.4.76 trillion capex in power transmission
Featured photograph (source: Sterlite Power) is for representation only.
