India plans expansion of transmission network

Microgrid_Asia_Pacific

The government of India is set to launch a 20-year plan to expand the power transmission network of the country.

It would also entail revision of the green corridors network that was envisaged to effectively manage and utilize power generated from renewable energy sources.

The Perspective Transmission Plan for 20 Years awaits feedback from states and other stakeholders concerned.

According to the draft plan, its implementation would require an investment of Rs2.6 lakh crore. And the implementation is proposed for the next five year plan (the 13th).

By the end of the ongoing five year plan (the 12th) which ends 2017, the government proposes to complete development of 360,000 circuit kilometres. Currently the network includes 37,140 circuit kilometres.

Of the funding required, states are to meet Rs1.6 lakh crore, and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is to meet the remaining Rs1 lakh crore, Business Standard has reported quoting unnamed government officials.

Recently Piyush Goyal, the minister for coal, power and renewable energy, had said that in the coming six months, transmission projects totalling Rs 1 lakh crore would be auctioned under tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB).

The plan is expected to be finalized by September and projects would be auctioned accordingly.

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had prepared the plan last year along with the Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO) and state-owned power transmission company PGCIL.

The transmission plan includes projects to expand size of projects and deployment of infrastructure to prevent congestion of network. The plan also envisages interstate lines with 56,000 MW capacity to be developed by the end of the thirteenth five year plan.

The ministry is also working on a general network access plan for smooth transmission of power. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission had advocated the development of such a system in a recent report it submitted.

Ajith Kumar S

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