Three leading developers are in the fray for development of a transmission scheme catering to pumped storage projects in Maharashtra.
It is reliably learnt that bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has qualified three contenders for opening of initial price bids of an interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme termed as “Network expansion scheme in Western Region to cater to pumped storage potential near Talegaon (Pune).”
The bidders in the fray are Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) and Resonia (formerly Sterlite Power).
RECPDCL expects to conclude the bidding process and formally hand over the project SPV “WRNES Talegaon Power Transmission Ltd” to the winning developer by April 7, 2025.
The scheme, with an estimated cost of Rs.1,663 crore, is expected to commission by January 1, 2027, or 24 months from the date of SPV transfer, whichever is later.
According to information available with T&D India, this is the first ISTS scheme catering to pumped storage projects, to be awarded under the TBCB framework.
Objective
The broad objective of this ISTS-TBCB scheme is to cater to evacuation potential of 1.5 GW pumped storage project (PSP) potential near Talegaon (Pune) in Maharashtra. This will be achieved by constructing a 2×1500 MVA, 765/400kV substation near south of Kalamb in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra. This substation will be connected to the ISTS network via a LILO of the 765kV double-circuit Pune-III – Boisar-II line.
he Union power ministry has estimated a potential of more than 10 GW from pumped storage plants (PSP) in Maharashtra, with Tata Power alone expected to develop over 3 GW.
Tata Power has sought connectivity for its upcoming Bhivpuri PSP (1,150 MW), effective January 1, 2028. Tata Power is also planning another PSP of 1,980 MW at Shirawata in the same area.
Apart from helping evacuation from PSPs, the proposed South Kalamb substation will have provision for drawing 400kV lines in future, for meeting the power demand in Mumbai and Ambernath, is learnt.
PSP in Uttar Pradesh
As already reported by T&D India on March 12, 2025, a new ISTS-TBCB scheme for evacuation from PSPs in Uttar Pradesh has recently been proposed.
Featured photograph (source: Voith) is for representation only
