The Ministry of Power has approved transmission works to evacuate a cumulative 2,500 MW of renewable energy in Madhya Pradesh.

On the recommendations of the 24th meeting of the National Committee on Transmission, the Ministry announced a 1,000 MW and 1,500 MW transmission system to evacuate power from renewable energy projects in the Neemuch Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) (Phase II) and Rajgarh SEZ in Madhya Pradesh (Phase III) respectively.

REC Power Development and Consultancy has been selected as the bid process coordinator (BPC) for Rajgarh SEZ in Madhya Pradesh (Phase III) and PFC Consulting has been chosen as the BPC for the Neemuch SEZ.

Rajgarh SEZ

The scope of work involves the creation of a new 220 kV Bus Section (3rd) with 220 kV bus sectionalizer and 400/220 kV, 3×500 MVA ICT augmentation (7th, 8th & 9th) at Pachora PS terminated on 220 kV Bus Section (3rd).

As of July 2024, applications for a cumulative capacity of 4,000 MW have been received at Pachora PS. The project is envisioned to accommodate applications beyond 2.5 GW. Out of 1,508 MW applications received for the Rajgarh Phase-III system, renewable energy projects for 1,321 MW have been set a start date of March 2027.

Additionally, 1,87MW applications received in July 2024 are under process and will be granted with the start date of March 2027.

After completion of the new transmission work, the project will enable the evacuation of up cumulative 4,000 MW of power from renewable energy projects in Rajgarh.

The project is expected to be completed within 24 months of transferring a special-purpose vehicle. The portion of the project where a 220 kV line bay is being drawn for renewable energy interconnection of Purvah Green Power on Bus Section is expected to be completed by March 31, 2028.

The project is expected to be completed at a cost of ₹10.79 billion (~$127.15 million).

Neemuch SEZ

The Neemuch Solar Park in Neemuch SEZ in Madhya Pradesh under Phase II spans approximately 341 hectares. RUMSL provides the power evacuation infrastructure, comprising one 33/220 kV outdoor substation dedicated to the project at the solar park.

The scope of work involves creating a new 220 kV bus section-II at Neemuch PS with augmentation of transformation capacity by 3×500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICTs (3rd, 4th & 5th) at Neemuch substation and associated bays.

Applications for a cumulative capacity of 1,970 MW have been received at Neemuch, and to accommodate applications being received beyond 1 GW PS, the project is being envisioned. After the new transmission work is completed, the project will enable the evacuation of a cumulative 2,000 MW of power

The project is expected to be completed within 24 months from the date of the SPV transfer. The project is estimated to cost of ₹ 23.93 billion (~$282.01 million).

In July 2024, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission directed that a transmission license be granted to Pachora Power Transmission to establish the Transmission System for Evacuation of Power from RE Projects in Rajgarh (1,000 MW) SEZ in Madhya Pradesh-Phase II.