ReNew has announced that it has commissioned its first interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme.
In a release, ReNew said that it has commissioned the “Koppal Transmission Scheme” that will help evacuation of 1.5 GW of renewable energy from the Koppal area in Karnataka.
Awarded in FY22, the newly-commissioned ISTS scheme entails a new 400/220kV substation at Koppal along with 276 ckm of 400kV double-circuit quad-moose transmission line. It also involved extension of the 400kV bays at PGCIL’s Narendra (New) substation.
According to information available with T&D India, the scheme was housed under project SPV “Koppal-Narendra Transmission Ltd” and was awarded to ReNew under the TBCB modality. Bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd transferred the project SPV to ReNew on December 13, 2021.
Evacuation of 5 GW
Alongside Koppal-Narendra, ReNew is also developing two ISTS schemes in Karnataka. The three schemes put together will help evacuation of 5 GW of renewable energy from wind and solar energy zones in Karnataka. With 1.5 GW in place with Koppal-Narendra, the evacuation system for the remaining 3.5 GW is expected to be commissioned by June 2024.
The 3.5 GW of RE evacuation is taking shape through two ISTS schemes, currently under construction. These are housed under “Gadag Transmission Ltd” and “Gadag II-A Transmission Ltd.”
Gadag Transmission involves a 2×500 MVA, 400/220kV substation at Gadag with 400kV double-circuit transmission line from Gadag substation to PGCIL’s Narendra (New) substation. It also involves 400kV GIS extension works at the Narendra (New) substation. This project is scheduled to commission in the last quarter of FY24 (which is by March 2024).
Gadag II-A Transmission entails 3×500 MVA, 400/220kV augmentation at Gadag substation with 400 kV double-circuit transmission line from Gadag substation to Koppal substation, apart from 400 kV AIS bay extension works at the Koppal and Gadag end. This scheme will likely commission by first quarter of FY25 (which is by June 2024).
All the three projects – Koppal-Narendra, Gadag and Gadag II-A – have been won by ReNew under the TBCB mode, and will be developed under a 35-year concession period.
Norwegian investment
ReNew also announced that an agreement was signed on November 15, 2023, on the second joint investment in the transmission sector, with Norfund, the Norwegian Government’s Investment Fund for developing countries, and KLP, Norway’s largest pension company, through their joint company KNI India AS. Norfund’s share is from Norway’s newly established Climate Investment Fund, managed by Norfund. This marks Norfund’s and the Climate Investment Fund’s ongoing support in the transmission sector, helping to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, ReNew said.
Also read: ReNew And Gentari Announce Collaboration For 5 GW RE Capacity
Featured photograph is for representation only.
