Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has commissioned a transmission system connecting Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar oil refinery in Gujarat to the Jam Khambaliya ISTS pooling station.
In a very brief stock exchange communication, PGCIL said that the project termed as “Jamnagar Oil Refinery of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to connect with Jam Khambaliya ISTS PS” has been commissioned with effect from May 5, 2024 for which Notification of Commercial Operation has been received on May 27, 2024.
Here is a brief background on this connectivity project, based on information available with T&D India.
This project includes a 400kV double-circuit line of around 120 ckm connecting RIL’s Jamnagar petroleum refinery to the Jam Khambaliya pooling station (PS) – both located in Gujarat. The project, estimated to have cost Rs.114 crore, also includes two 400kV line bays at Jam Khambaliya PS. [The Jam Khambaliya PS, according to information available with T&D India is owned by Jam Khambaliya Transco Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd.]
Reliance Industries was seeking to build this dedicated line in order to source around 500 mw of renewable energy to meet its renewable purchase obligations. RIL already has a captive power plant of 1,750 mw to meet the energy demands of the Jamnagar petroleum refinery.
Though this line was meant to serve RIL exclusively, RIL could not have built this line as it is not a transmission licence. Hence, based on an order issued by CERC in early January 2022, RIL approached PGCIL to construct this line. CERC had given RIL the option of forming a project SPV that would build the line and apply for transmission licence. However, RIL was not in favour of this option.
The construction of this new line has been financed by RIL but it will be owned by PGCIL. The payment security mechanism and transmission charges will be worked out between the two entities.
In January 2022, T&D India had reported that PGCIL may build this dedicated line for providing ISTS connectivity to RIL’s Jamnagar petroleum refinery. (Read full story)
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Featured photograph (source: ril.com) shows aerial view of the Jamnagar refinery complex of Reliance Industries Ltd, in Gujarat.
