The interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme officially termed as “Transmission System for evacuation of power from REZ in Rajasthan (20 GW) under Phase III – Part D” has been bifurcated, with respect to project scope and mode of implementation.
It is reliably learnt that one key element, namely the 400kV double-circuit (quad) Jhatikara – Dwarka transmission line, has been removed from the original project scope and will now be implemented as a separate sub-scheme under regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) mode by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
The original scheme housed under project SPV “Sikar Khetri Transmission Ltd” is currently under bidding stage, with REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) as the bid process coordinator. RECPDCL will soon incorporate the project scope revision in its bidding documents. Currently, the bid submission date stands at October 6, 2023 but will likely be extended after RECPDCL puts out the revised project scope.
The rationale behind this restructuring was to obviate difficulties in implementing the aforementioned 400kV line, running around 20 km. The said line is expected to involve severe complexity in securing of right-of-way. Prior approval would be required from multiple authorities like Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Flood & Irrigation Department of Delhi.
The RTM component is expected to cost Rs.145.24 crore and has an implementation timeframe of 18 months. Apart from the Jhatikara – Dwarka transmission line, the sub-scheme will also involve setting up of four 400kV line bays – two each at the Dwarka and Jhatikara substations.
The RTM component has been designated as “Transmission System for evacuation of power from REZ in Rajasthan (20 GW) under Phase III – Part D, Phase II”
The original scheme, now with a shortened project scope, will be referred to as “Transmission System for evacuation of power from REZ in Rajasthan (20 GW) under Phase III – Part D”, Phase I”. This scheme is expected to cost Rs.2,423.13 crore and has an implementation timeframe of 18 months from the date of SPV transfer. Key components of the “Part D, Phase-I” scheme include the 765kV double-circuit Sikar-II to Khetri transmission line (route length 90 km), and an even longer 260 km, 765kV double-circuit line from Sikar-II to Narela.
Overall scope
The Sikar-Khetri transmission scheme is part of the overall transmission system aiming to provide evacuation for renewable energy zones in Rajasthan. Transmission system for evacuation of 20 GW is already under implementation – 8.9 GW in Phase-1 and 11.1 GW (including 3 GW through intrastate network) under Phase-II. Now, Phase-III is being planned for evacuation infrastructure of an additional 20 GW and will come up under several schemes denoted as “Part A”, “Part B”, etc.
Featured photograph (source: Amp Energy) showing a hybrid solar-wind park in Rajasthan is for illustration only.
