Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has dedicated a newly-commissioned 400kV transmission line in Tamil Nadu, as part of the “Bharat ka Amrit Mahatsov” celebrations.
A social media post by PGCIL said that the Central PSU recently dedicated the 400kV double-circuit NNTPS-Ariyalur transmission line, as part of India’s 75 years of Independence programme.
The transmission line, is an Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) element, and is meant for evacuating power from the 2×500-mw lignite-based thermal power project of NLC India Ltd, in Tamil Nadu. Incidentally, the power generation plant (New Neyveli Thermal Power Station, or NNTPS) was also dedicated to the nation in February this year.
This transmission line was commissioned by PGCIL during the second quarter (July to September) of FY21. Incidentally, PGCIL achieved high level of capitalization during the said quarter. (Read more)
According to information available, the 400kV transmission line traverses around 80 km from NNTPS switchyard to Ariyalur (also known as Vilupuram). There is also a 2×500 MVA 400kV substation at Vilupuram.
It is interesting to note that the 2×500-mw NNTPS was actually a replacement of an existing plant with nine units (3×100 mw + 6x50mw = 600 mw) that was gradually decommissioned. While the old plant catered exclusively to Tamil Nadu, the new 1,000-mw plant has more than one beneficiary state.
Apart from the NNTPS-Ariyalur transmission line and the Ariyalur substation, a number of system strengthening works were carried out by Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Ltd (Tantransco) as well as NLC India to enable evacuation from NNTPS.
(Featured photograph sourced from PGCIL’s social media handle)
