Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Power Grid) has strengthened its renewable energy transmission capacity by acquiring four Project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) aimed at developing Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects. Acquired through tariff-based competitive bidding, these SPVs—Khavda PS1 and 3 Transmission Limited, Barmer I Transmission Limited, Bikaner A Power Transmission Limited, and Bikaner B Power Transmission Limited—will support green energy transmission across states, with completion expected within 24 months.
These projects are pivotal for the integration and evacuation of renewable energy from India’s prominent renewable energy hubs:
- Khavda PS1 and 3 Transmission Limited: This project includes the establishment of ±300 MVAR STATCOM systems at two locations in Gujarat’s Khavda region, enhancing voltage stability through real-time reactive power management to accommodate renewable power fluctuations.
- Barmer I Transmission Limited: Aiming to support a 5.5 GW renewable energy evacuation from Jaisalmer and Barmer, Rajasthan, this project involves a new 765/400/220 kV substation, 765kV & 400kV transmission lines, and associated bay extensions.
- Bikaner A Power Transmission Limited: With the setup of a 765/400/220 kV pooling station and STATCOM/MSR installations, this project links Bikaner IV with Haryana’s Siwani substation, traversing states including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana to support an additional 6 GW green power evacuation.
- Bikaner B Power Transmission Limited: This project includes a new substation at Siwani and an additional 765kV and 400kV lines, supporting the connectivity between Bikaner IV and Siwani while reinforcing the renewable capacity in the region.
These acquisitions are a strategic step by Power Grid toward India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel-based energy target by 2030. The company, currently operating 280 substations with over 1,78,975 ckm of transmission lines, continues to achieve around 99.8% availability through advanced technology and automation.
