PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary for the development of an interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme in Gujarat that would see extensive deployment of HVDC technology.
In a stock exchange notification, Power Finance Corporation, the holding company of PFCCL, said that PFCCL has incorporated “KPS III HVDC Transmission Ltd” that would be responsible for development of an ISTS scheme officially termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-V (8 GW): Part C.”
PFCCL is the bid process coordinator (BPC) for the said transmission scheme and is responsible for selection of the developer using the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) modality.
According to information available from official sources but not contained in the PFC stock exchange filing, the aforementioned transmission scheme is expected to cost around Rs.12,000 crore and is scheduled for completion in 48 months from the time that the SPV is transferred to the successful developer.
An HVDC technology-centric scheme, “KPS III HVDC Transmission Ltd” would mainly entail the following elements:
- A 2,500 mw, ±500kV KPS3 (HVDC) [VSC] terminal station (2×1250 MW) at a suitable location near KPS3 substation with associated interconnections with 400kV HVAC switchyard
- A 2,500 mw, ±500kV South Olpad (HVDC) [VSC] terminal station (2×1250 MW) along with associated interconnections with 400kV HVAC Switchyard of South Olpad substation
- A new KPS3 (HVDC) substation along with 2×125 MVAR, 420kV bus reactors along with associated interconnections with HVDC switchyard
- ±500kV HVDC bipole line between KPS3 (HVDC) and South Olpad (HVDC) [Transfer capacity: 2,500 mw, route length: 600 km]
Overview
The aforementioned scheme is part of an overarching project termed as “Transmission system for evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-V (8 GW)”. This scheme, in conjunction with its preceding four phases, aims to take evacuation capacity from Khavda RE park to around 30 GW. The first three phases (total capacity: 15 GW) are under construction, while Phase IV (7 GW) is under bidding.
Phase V (8 GW), which will be based predominantly on HVDC technology, has been structured into four components – Part A, Part A1, Part B and Part C. Of these, Part A (cost: Rs.24,820 crore) and the under-discussion Part C will come up on TBCB basis, while Part A1 is a very small component to be implemented by PGCIL on RTM basis. Part B is currently under review and will be formalized subsequent to the implementation of Part C. (See table)
Current Status
According to information available with T&D India, PFCCL is currently in the process of appointing technical consultants for Part C, the scheme under discussion.
For “Part A”, REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) is the BPC and the project has been housed under SPV “Khavda V-A Power Transmission Ltd”. Bidding for this scheme is currently underway with February 2, 2024 currently being the last date for submission of response to RfPs.
Featured photograph (source: Siemens) is for representation only.
