Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has announced that it has commissioned the “North Eastern Region System Strengthening Scheme – III” (NERSS-III).
In a brief stock exchange filing, PGCIL said that it has commissioned NERSS-III with effect from December 16, 2023. The notification for commercial operation (DOCO) was received on January 25, 2024, the filing added.
According to information available from other official sources, it is learnt that NERSS-III was originally approved by the PGCIL board in September 2015, with an envisaged capital outlay of Rs.133.71 crore, including IDC (interest during construction) of Rs.7.46 crore.
Subsequently, the project underwent a change in scope with a concomitant revision in project cost.
The project scope, in its revised form, entailed, among other elements:
- Installation of 2nd 400/220kV, 315 MVA ICT at PGCIL’s Bongaigaon substation, along with associated works
- Replacement of existing 3×20 MVA, 220/132kV ICT by 1×160 MVA, 220/132kV ICT at Kopili hydropower project, along with associated works
- Replacement of existing 2×50 MVA, 220/132kV ICTs by 2×160 MVA, 220/132kV ICTs at PGCIL’s Balipara substation, along with replacement of 132kV equipment
All the locations mentioned above are situated in Assam. The 200-mw Kopili hydropower project, located in Dima Hasao district of Assam, is owned by NEEPCO Ltd, part of NTPC Group. NERSS-III was awarded to PGCIL under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) route.
Mariani substation
It may be mentioned that PGCIL, under a related project, “North Eastern Region System Strengthening Scheme – VI,” had upgraded the Mariani substation in Assam from a 220kV switching station to a 400/220kV, 2×500 MVA substation, in November 2021. This new Mariani substation had then become the first 400kV substation in upper Assam. (Read more).
Read mora: PGCIL Named Successful Bidder For Bidar ISTS Scheme
Featured photograph (copyright: ANDRITZ Group) shows NEEPCO’s Kopili hydropower plant in Assam.
