Government-owned power transmission utility Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) has won the contracts to establish three inter-state transmission systems (ISTS) projects on a build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) basis to evacuate 18 GW of power from various renewable energy zones (REZ) in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

POWERGRID received the letters of intent on April 16, 2024.

REC Power Development and Consultancy (RECPDCL) floated two tenders for these projects, one on November 6, 2023, and the second on November 16, 2023.

The three projects are:

• Transmission System for the evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 2: 5.5 GW) (Jaisalmer/ Barmer Complex): Part C

One of the projects that POWERGRID will implement involves the establishment of a new 765/400/220 kV pooling substation at Mandsaur. This will be accompanied by the installation of a 765 kV D/C transmission line and associated bay extension works at other existing substations in Madhya Pradesh.

• Transmission System for the evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zones in the Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-IV (7GW) Part E2

The project involves augmentation works at existing substations to facilitate the evacuation of power from the potential renewable energy zone in the Khavda area under Phase-IV (7 GW) Part E2.

• Transmission System for the evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 2: 5.5 GW) (Jaisalmer/ Barmer Complex): Part E

The project involves the establishment of a new 765 kV substation at Rishabhdeo in Rajasthan, along with the installation of 765 kV D/C Transmission Lines and associated bays extension works at other existing substations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The scheduled commercial operation date of the projects is 24 months from the date of the letters of intent.

The developer must guarantee that every aspect of the project, encompassing equipment, facilities, components, and systems, is planned, built, and tested in accordance with the specifications detailed in the transmission service agreement.

Recently, POWERGRID announced an investment of ₹3.67 billion (~$44.05 million) for infrastructure expansion involving two transmission projects scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.

Earlier, the company’s special-purpose vehicle, POWERGRID Bhadla Transmission, was authorized by the Ministry of Power to set up overhead transmission lines on a modified route to evacuate 8.1 GW of power from the solar energy zone in Rajasthan under Phase-II Part B.