NCT Submits ISTS Projects Worth Rs. 22,737 Cr. to Ministry of Power
National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has submitted ten Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects, totaling Rs. 22,737 crore, to Ministry of Power.
NCT, which is under Central Electricity Authority, assesses performance of National grid on a quarterly basis. The committee is also responsible for approving ISTS projects which have a value between Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 500 crore. Projects exceeding Rs. 500 crore in value must be submitted to Union Power Ministry for approval.
Details of Projects to be Offered through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding
Seven of the aforementioned projects, estimated to cost approximately Rs. 9,399 crore, will be allotted to bidders through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) method.
Major Expansion Project at Kurnool-III Pooling Station
Among the submitted projects, the largest is for increasing capacity at Kurnool-III Pooling Station (PS) in Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,886 crore. To augment the capacity at this pooling station, the winning bidder will install 4 transformers of 1,500 MVA capacity, to transform the voltage from 765 KV to 400 KV. Scope of work also includes laying of a 260 Km-long transmission line of 765 KV capacity, connecting Kurnool-III pooling station to Chilakaluripeta substation in Andhra Pradesh. This project is anticipated to be completed by December 2027.
The rationale behind Kurnool-III Polling Station’s expansion is to address the increasing demand. As of now, Kurnool-III Pooling Station has received connectivity applications for a total of 8,000 MW. Out of this, 2,320 MW of connectivity applications have already been approved, following which applications for 5,680 MW of connectivity were received.
Renewable Energy Feeder Scheme for Pumped Storage Plants
The other projects to be offered through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding include Renewable Energy (RE) feeder scheme for pumped storage plants in Maharashtra which is expected to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,663 crore. This project is titled ‘Network expansion scheme in Western Region to cater to pumped storage potential near Talegaon (Pune)’, and is anticipated to be completed by 2027. Scope of work in this scheme includes setting up a substation with two transformers of 1,500 MVA capacity each, to transform voltage from 765 KV to 400 KV. This substation will be established near Kalamb in Maharashtra.
The Power Ministry has identified a potential of more than 10 GW of pumped storage projects in Maharashtra.
Tata Power has already submitted applications to develop two pumped storage projects in Maharashtra, one with a capacity of 1,150 MW at Bhivpuri and another one with a capacity of 1,980 MW at Shirawata. Adani Green has also signed Memorandum of Understanding for developing pumped storage projects in Maharashtra.
Other Projects to be Offered through Tariff-based Bidding
Apart from this, projects which will be offered through tariff-based bidding include those for the capacity up-gradation of Bhuj-II pooling station and Lakadia substation in Gujarat, respectively. Establishing a power evacuation system for Mahan Energen power plant in Madhya Pradesh is also included in the list of projects submitted to the Union Power Ministry.
Additionaly, setting up evacuation systems for part A of Ratle and Kiru Hydropower projects in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as for Raghanesda Renewable Energy park in Gujarat is also included in projects to be allotted through tariff-based bidding.
Overview of Upcoming Transmission Projects Under Regulated Tariff Mechanism
Apart from the aforementioned projects, three transmission projects, collectively worth Rs. 13,338 crore, will be allotted to developers through Regulated Tariff Mehanism (RTM). Two of these projects include establishing transmission systems to evacuate 500 MW and 1 GW of power from offshore wind energy projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Powergrid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) will implement these projects under RTM.
The third project, ‘Transmission System for Ratle Hydroelectric Project (850 MW) and Kiru HEP (624 MW): Part B’, is expected to cost around Rs. 196 crore. Since this project’s cost is below Rs. 500 crore, it only requires approval of National Committee on Transmission, and no final clearance from Ministry of Power is needed. The implementation will be carried out under Regulated Tariff Mechanism by the same developer selected for ‘Part A’ of the same scheme.
