(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
4th March 2024, Gurugram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated seven projects of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, collectively representing a significant investment of approximately ₹4000 crore. Additionally, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for one upcoming project, with an investment of around ₹3500 crore. These projects play a crucial role in strengthening the National Grid, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s vision of “One Nation, One Grid, One Frequency” and ensuring uninterrupted 24×7 power to all. Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh, interacted with POWERGRID officials at the Maharani Bagh Substation and witnessed the ceremony held at Adilabad, Telangana. He said, “In the last decade, India’s power sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, spurring the nation’s growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Since 2014, many mega projects in generation, transmission and distribution have ensured power for all, to fulfil the aspirations of a rapidly growing nation.” Complimenting POWERGRID employees and the power sector CPSUs and stakeholders, he added that this growth has been possible because of their contribution. Highlighting the synergistic relationship between the growth of the power sector and of the economy, the Minister said that the nation has been able to grow as fast because of strengthening of the power sector. “In order to accommodate the substantial capacity addition, the Government of India planned and added 1,89,052 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines, between 2013-14 to 2022-23, connecting the whole country into one grid running on one frequency with the capability of transferring 1,16,540 MW from one corner of the country to another, also further integrating the whole country into one national market.

Inauguration of POWERGRID’s 7 projects:

1. Project Name: Establishment of 220/66 kV GIS at UT Chandigarh along with 220 kV D/C line from Chandigarh GIS to 400/220 kV Panchkula (PG) substation. Cost of the Project: ₹322 crore Benefits of the Project: This facilitated Chandigarh to draw its share of power from Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) by establishing 2×160 MVA, 220/66 kV GIS substation at Chandigarh & 220 kV D/C line from Chandigarh to Panchkula (PG) substation thus providing reliable power supply to this area. It is a first Green Field Digital substation commissioned by POWERGRID.

2. Project Name: Northern Region System Strengthening Scheme – XXXV Cost of the Project: ₹124 crore Benefits of the Project: The implementation of 400 kV D/C Mohindergarh – Bhiwani line facilitated feeding power from Mohindergarh HVDC substation to Haryana and thus improved the reliability of power supply in the State and leading to strengthening of Northern Grid.

3. Project Name: Establish Transmission System for Construction of 765/400/220 kV GIS Substation, Rampur and 400/220/132 kV Substation, Sambhal Substation with associated transmission lines. Cost of the Project: ₹1165 crore Benefits of the Project: Implementation of 765/400/220 kV GIS Substation at Sambhal and associated transmission lines has helped in reliable power supply in Central Western UP.

4. Project Name: Meerut Simbhavali Transmission Limited. Cost of the Project: ₹1050 crore Benefits of the Project: Implementation of 765/400/220 kV GIS substation at Meerut, 400/220/132 kV GIS
Substation at Simbhavali and associated transmission lines has helped in meeting the present load requirements of Meerut and Simbhavali area and will also help to cater further load demands of area.

5. Project Name: Northern Region System Strengthening – XL Cost of the Project: ₹360 crore Benefits of the Project: With the commissioning of ICT at various substations of Northern region, the transformation capacity of the Northern Grid has been augmented by 3185 MVA thus providing reliable power supply to the region.

6. Project Name: System Strengthening Scheme in Northern Region – XXXVII Cost of the Project: ₹380 crore Benefits of the Project: The establishment of 400/220kV substation Jauljivi by LILO of Dhauliganga – Bareilly 400 kV D/C line has met the load demand in Jauljivi, Pithoragarh, Almora and other load centers of Kumaon region. This will also meet the future load demand & improve the reliability of power supply in Kumaon Region.

7. Project Name: North Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme – XII Cost of the Project: ₹576 crore Benefits of the Project: Re-conductoring of 132 kV S/c Dimapur–Imphal line, 132 kV S/c Loktak–Jiribam line, 220 kV D/C BTPS – Salakati line, 220 kV D/C Alipurduar–Salakati line and 400 kV D/C Siliguri – Bongaigaon line has increased the current carrying capacity of the transmission line thereby increasing the power availability, reliability and improving the power scenario in the states of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and West Bengal. Foundation stone laying of POWERGRID’s project:

8. Project Name: Transmission System For Kurnool Wind Energy Zone / Solar Energy Zone (AP) Part A & Part-B Cost of the Project: ₹3547 crore Benefits of the Project: Establishment of 765/400/220 kV Kurnool-III (new) substation and iimplementation of 765 kV D/C Kurnool III (PS) – Kurnool (New) line & 765 kV D/C Kurnool III (PS) – Maheshwaram (PG) line under the scheme will facilitate immediate integration and evacuation of 4.5 GW Renewable generation capacity in Kurnool RE Zone to the other part of India through National Grid.