Reliance Industries, alongside two seasoned players, have qualified for opening of initial price bids for an interstate transmission system scheme associated with the Lakadia Pooling Station in Gujarat, being developed under the TBCB mechanism.
It is reliably learnt that Reliance Industries Ltd is in the race with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) for an ISTS-TBCB scheme housed under “Lakadia B Power Transmission Ltd,” currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL).
This is the second time, at least in recent history, where RIL has prequalified for an ISTS-TBCB scheme. In September this year, the Mukesh Ambani-controlled entity was in the fray for an ISTS-TBCB scheme “Jamnagar Transmission Ltd,” also based in Gujarat. Interestingly, PGCIL and AESL were also in the race, with Sterlite Power as the fourth bidder. This project was eventually clinched by Adani Energy Solutions Ltd.
The Lakadia-B scheme is a multi-faceted transmission scheme, estimated to cost Rs.636 crore and with a variable implementation period. The scheme seeks to augment existing/upcoming evacuation infrastructure to support connectivity applications worth 3,500 MW received at the Lakadia pooling station (PS) in Gujarat.
The Lakadia-B project is formally termed as “Transmission system for augmentation of transformation capacity at 765/400kV Lakadia substation [WRSS XXI(A) Transco Ltd] in Gujarat, Part B.”
According to official documents, the Lakadia-B scheme has around 15 elements, largely comprising augmentation of the Lakadia PS by two 500 MVA, 400/220kV interconnecting transformers (ICTs), and several 220kV line bays for specific RE generators like TEQ Green Power, Renew Solar, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India, etc.
The scheme has an implementation time period of 18 months from the date of SPV transfer to the successful developer. However, some 200kV line bays need to be commissioned earlier, to match the completion period of the associated renewable energy schemes.
The Lakadia PS, which will be augmented under Lakadia-B, was commissioned in October 2022 under another ISTS-TBCB scheme “WRSS XXI (A) Transco Ltd” – a TBCB subsidiary of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. This project was officially termed as “Western Region System Strengthening – XXI Part A [Transmission system strengthening for relieving overloading in Gujarat intrastate system due to RE injections in Bhuj Pooling Station.”
Also read: Reliance Industries among qualified entities for Jamnagar transmission scheme
Featured photograph (source: MPPTCL) is for representation only
