Maharashtra gives nod to INR 8000 crore underground (HVDC) transmission project
An 80-km underground transmission line between Aarey and Kudus in Palghar district worth INR 8,000 crore has been approved by Maharashtra Government
An underground transmission network project worth INR 8,000 crore has been approved by the state government of Maharashtra. This first part of the network — an 80-km line between Aarey and Kudus in Palghar district—is going to provide Mumbai with an additional 1,000 MW of electricity.
On October 12, the entire Mumbai and its adjacent regions have faced a major power blackout, due to a technical fault in the grid. So the state government had taken a decision to fast-track the underground high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables project.
In view of this, the state government has approved a plan to build an underground transmission network – 80 kilometers from Aarey to Kudus in Palghar district. It is estimated that the entire project will cost INR 8,000 crore.
The state government of Maharashtra has announced its ambitious underground transmission network plan and released a statement on December 1, which stated “The first part of the network, from Aarey to Kudus, in the District of Palghar – is going to cost INR 8,000”.
“Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) will be constructing the proposed Aarey to Kudus stretch, sources said. The Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company will also be involved in the project which will connect the 400 kV Kudus substation to the 220 kV Aarey substation of AEML. The first part of the project will provide Mumbai with a further 1,000 MW of electricity.
The HVDC technology is tailor-made and modular in design, as it needs fewer footprints as compared to conventional technology. It has a unique Black Start feature which ensures faster power supply restoration when grid disturbances occur.
The HVDC scheme was described as a major bulk injection system for Mumbai that will act as a virtual generation station. It is estimated that the 1,000 MW underground Kudus-Aarey HVDC links will be completed in the next three years.
