REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has incorporated a project special purpose vehicle for development of an ISTS scheme associated with evacuation of power from the Ratle and Kiru hydropower projects in UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
REPDCL incorporated the SPV, as its wholly-owned subsidiary called “Ratle Kiru Power Transmission Ltd” on October 23, 2024.
This SPV will develop an ISTS scheme termed as “Transmission scheme for evacuation of power from Ratle HEP (850 MW) & Kiru HEP (624 MW): Part-A.”
RECPDCL is acting as the bid process coordinator for the scheme whose bidder selection is currently in progress, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism. By current timelines, opening of technical bids is scheduled for November 29, 2024.
Estimated to cost Rs.1,214 crore and with a gestation period of 24 months, the Ratle-Kiru scheme seeks to provide ISTS connectivity to the two upcoming hydropower projects.
The scheme seeks to draw connectivity from the existing substations like Kishtwar (owned by Sterlite Power), Samba and Kishengarh (owned by PGCIL). A major element of the scheme would be the 400kV double-circuit (quad) line from Samba to Jalandhar, running 145 km.
Part B on RTM
This Ratle-Kiru evacuation scheme has a complementary component called “Transmission scheme for evacuation of power from Ratle HEP (850 MW) & Kiru HEP (624 MW): Part-B.”
With an estimated cost of Rs.196 crore, Part B aims to reconductor the existing 400kV Kishenpur-Kishtwar line with twin HTLS (high temperature low sag) conductor. There are other associated bay upgrade works entailed in this component.
It is reliably learnt that Part B will be implemented on regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) basis by the developer of Part A that will be selected using the TBCB mode.
Part B will be implemented in a timeframe of 24 months or matching with commissioning of Part A, whichever is later.
Hydropower developers
Both the 850-mw Ratle and 624-mw Kiru hydropower projects are run-of-river schemes on River Chenab in Kishtwar district of UT of J&K. These projects are being implemented by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd and Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd, respectively. Both these entities are joint ventures between NHPC Ltd (majority shareholder) and Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Corporation Ltd.
Also read: SPV incorporated for Bhadla-Bikaner complex ISTS scheme
Featured photograph (source: rhpcindia.com) shows diversion tunnels associated with the under-construction Ratle hydropower project in UT of J&K.
