PowerGrid's Grid Game: Bold Moves to Boost Bharat’s Energy Web

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) successfully commissioned a crucial transmission project under the Eastern and North Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme. The strategic project will assist in enhancing the grid's reliability, enable future power supply, and ensure smooth inter-state supply of electricity.

Key Developments:

NERSS-XII Commissioning

In operation on November 2, 2024, with commercial alert on November 23, 2024

Interstate transmission system that supplies Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and other northeastern states

Project cost: Rs 576.42 crore

Applied under the regulated tariff system

Infrastructure Improvements:

Re-conductoring of essential lines like:

400kV Siliguri–Bongaigaon twin HTLS conductor

220kV Alipurduar–Salakati and BTPS–Salakati single HTLS conductor

132kV Dimapur–Imphal and Loktak–Jiribam single HTLS conductor.

Greater transmission capacity and reduction in losses

Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme-XVIII (ERSS-XVIII):

High-capacity 765kV Ranchi–Medinipur (Jeerat line) commissioned

New substations at Jeerat and Medinipur supplying West Bengal load centers

Supports next-generation centers in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha

Strategic Implications:

Underpinned national grid stability

Facilitates renewable energy integration

Fosters regional development and industrialization

Sources: Projectstoday.com, Powergrid.in, T&D India, PIB India, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)