Hitachi ABB energises first stage of Raigarh-Pugalur
Hitachi ABB Power Grids India along with consortium partner BHEL, has successfully energised the first stage of the 6,000 MW +/- 800 kV UHVDC transmission link
Image source: Hitachi ABB
India: Hitachi ABB Power Grids India along with consortium partner Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), has successfully energised the first stage of the 6,000 MW +/- 800 kV UHVDC transmission link connecting Raigarh in Central India to Pugalur, Tamil Nadu.
The consortium of Hitachi ABB Power Grids and state-owned engineering firm BHEL had won the order for the Raigarh-Pugalur transmission link from India’s national electricity grid operator Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) in 2016. The project encompasses design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning of complete UHVDC converter terminal stations as well as major equipment supplies including 800 kV converter transformers, converter valves, cooling systems and control and protection technology.
When completed, the 1,765 km two-way transmission line will have the capacity to meet the electricity needs of over 80 million people in India. This link will assist India on the journey towards increasing amounts of renewable power, by bringing large amounts of renewable energy to the high consumption centers. When wind strength is low, it will support electricity demand in the South, and when it is in excess, transmit clean energy to the North.
That is also one of the key initiatives of the Government of India to increase renewable energy capacity to 450 GW in the nation’s electricity mix, and is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal of affordable and clean energy.
“This is a proud moment for us. We have been engaged in this project since 2016. With the completion of the first stage of the 6,000 MW +/-800 kV UHVDC project, braving difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will enable clean and reliable power for millions of people in the country. We are strongly committed to supporting the Government’s mission to bring 24/7 reliable power to all.” said N Venu, Managing Director, Hitachi ABB Power Grids India.
Occupying one-third of the space of a traditional AC substation, HVDC transmission links help to conserve land. In the current case, that amounts to a saving of approximately 244 km2. The mega project will also feature technologies selected to minimise the footprint of the transmission stations.
Source: Hitachi ABB