India’s longest high voltage transmission line commissioned

Indian utility, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, is set to ensure the reliability of its grid network and accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy with a new high voltage transmission network commissioned by Hitachi ABB Power Grids.

The +/-800kV, 6,000MW and 1,800km transmission line connects Raigarh in Central India to Tamil Nadu in the southern parts of India.

Using the link, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited will be able to transport energy to and from both regions depending on changes in both demand and generation. The link will enable India to diversify its energy mix and combine traditional and renewable power generation for grid resiliency and stability.

With the government setting a goal of reaching 450GW of renewable energy by 2030, the project is an example of setting the required infrastructure in preparation for the future grid network.

The project includes the installation of 800kV converter transformers, converter valves, high-voltage products, and control and protection technology.

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The transmission line is expected to result in minimal power losses and environmental footprint and is part of efforts by the Indian government to meet goals set under the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 7, to increase access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Using HVDC helps to conserve the environment by only occupying about one-third of the land compared to a traditional AC link. In this case, that amounts to a saving of approximately 130 square kilometres – equal to a quarter of the area of Mumbai.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids partnered with state-owned engineering and manufacturing firm BHEL to construct the link, after the order was won in 2016.

N Venu, Managing Director and CEO, Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India, said: “With the commissioning of this groundbreaking UHVDC link, we have kept our promise to enable more clean and reliable power for millions of people, helping to build a future where electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system. During the entire project, the health and safety of our customers, employees and partners remained our top priority.”