Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has granted transmission licence to Powergrid Ananthpuram Kurnool Transmission Ltd (PAKTL) for an interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme to be implemented under the regulatory tariff mechanism (RTM) mode.
The ISTS-RTM project for which PAKTL has received the transmission licence is expected to cost Rs.45.64 crore and is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2026. The project involves setting up of three 400kV line bays at the upcoming Ananthpuram Pooling Station in Andhra Pradesh.
Two of these 400kV line bays will provide ISTS connectivity to Renew Vikram Shakti Pvt Ltd while the third bay will cater to ABC Cleantech Pvt Ltd.
This project was cleared by Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) on March 22, 2024. CTUIL, it may be mentioned, is empowered to clear ISTS schemes costing less than Rs.100 crore. The clearance also includes the mode of implementation – whether TBCB or RTM.
Underlying TBCB project
It may be mentioned that PAKTL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), is implementing an ISTS scheme under the TBCB mode. This scheme is termed as “Transmission scheme for solar energy zone in Ananthpuram (2,500 MW) and Kurnool (1,00o MW), Andhra Pradesh” and involves, among other elements, the setting up of the 400/220kV, 7×500 MVA Ananthpuram Pooling Station. Estimated to cost Rs.1,249 crore, this ISTS-TBCB scheme is scheduled to commission by September 2025.
Project Rationale
The Ananthpuram PS, coming over a 62-acre land expanse, has been designed to have seven 400/200kV, 500 MVA interconnecting transformers (ICTs) and 12 bays of 220kV, thus providing total transformation capacity of 3,500 MVA.
CTUIL has received a number of connectivity applications at both 220kV and 400kV, from the Ananthapuram PS. Of these, connectivity applications of about 1,545 MW have been granted/agreed for grant at 220kV level and around 2,710 MW have been granted/agreed for grant at 400kV level. The ISTS-RTM project under discussion will cater to the connectivity applications of 2,710 MW at 400kV level.
Under-utilization of 220kV bays
It is learnt that the current connectivity applications of 1,545 MW at 220kV level can be fulfilled with five 500 MVA, 400/220kV ICTs, even considering N-1 contingency criteria. Another five 220kV line bays have been allotted to various renewable energy developers. Also, since the new connectivity applications are at 400kV level, there is a likelihood of underutilization of some 220kV bays and ICTs. To address this issue, Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) is in discussion with PAKTL for suitable modification in the design of the switchyard for utilization of the balance ICTs and 220kV bays.
Also read: Powergrid Ramgarh Transmission to commission project soon
Featured photograph is for representation only
