Power Grid Corporation of India is set to clinch the mega Vemagiri-II transmission interregional project after having quoted an aggressive annual tariff of Rs.359 crore. The Rs.6,300-crore project, to be developed under the tariff-based competitive bidding route, had other contenders like Sterlite Grid that quoted Rs.429.05 crore, Essel Infraprojects (Rs.459 crore) and Adani Group (Rs.585 crore).

Meanwhile, Kalpataru Power Transmission has emerged as the lowest bidder for the Alipurduar transmission project with a quote of Rs.129.40 crore per annum. The Mumbai-headquartered company got the better of Essel (Rs.129.60 crore), Essel Infraprojects (Rs.138 crore) and Adani (Rs.198 crore). According to information available with Electrical Monitor, this is the first interregional transmission project for Kalpaturu Power Transmission. It has won a 400kV interstate scheme in Haryana that is currently operational.

For the Vemagiri project, nodal agency and bid process coordinator REC Transmission Projects Company Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rural Electrification Corporation, has incorporated a special purpose vehicle Vemagiri II Transmission Ltd. Under present proposed Vemagiri II scheme, a 765kV double-circuit line from Vemagiri to Cuddapah via Chilakaluripeta, with a 765/400kV substation has been proposed, which would facilitate dispersal of power beyond Vemagiri. Further high capacity 400kV double-circuit lines have been proposed from Vemagiri, Chilakaluripeta and Cuddapah for injection or dispersal of power. It may be mentioned that to facilitate import of power from North-East-West (NEW) grid to southern grid, the Angul – Srikakulam – Vemagiri corridor was envisaged and is under implementation.

Upcoming hydropower projects in Bhutan

The Alipurduar project will facilitate import of electricity from upcoming hydropower projects in Bhutan. Also under the fold of REC Transmission Projects, the special purpose vehicle for this project is Alipurduar Transmission Ltd. Under this project, power from Bhutan will be brought to Alipurduar substation in West Bengal. Power transfer from Alipurduar onwards shall be done through 800 kV, 6000 mw Bishwanath Chariyal (Assam) – Alipurduar (West Bengal) – Agra (Uttar Pradesh) HVDC bipole link (which is on the verge of commissioning) and the 400kV Alipurduar–Siliguri & Kishanganj–Darbhanga double circuit lines.

India is building several hydropower projects in Bhutan amongst which some like Punatsangchhu-I (1,200 mw), Punatsangchhu-II (990 mw), Mangdechhu (720 mw) and Wangchhu (570 mw) are at various stages of development. Power from these generation projects would be transferred to India after meeting Bhutan’s local demand, which is very limited.


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