New ISTS projects worth INR 15,893 crore approved by power minister

A new pipeline of 23 interstate transmission system projects worth INR 15,893 crore has been approved by the union power minister, R K Singh…

Union power minister R K Singh has approved 23 new inter-state transmission system projects worth INR 15,893 crore, according to a statement released by the power ministry. 

According to the National Tariff Policy 2016, notified by the central government, all ISTS projects are to be developed through the TBCB, except for those that are strategic, technical upgrades, or time-bound projects. 

Thus, based on the recommendations of the National Committee on Transmission and in accordance with the National Tariff Policy 2016, these projects have been approved.  

A power ministry statement said that of the 23 transmission projects, 13 interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects are to be developed under the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route with an expected cost of around INR 14,766 crore. 

The remaining 10 ISTS projects will be developed under the Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM) that are expected to cost around INR 1,127 crore, the statement added.

Through the new transmission projects, evacuation systems would be set up for 14 GW of renewable energy projects in Rajasthan, 4.5 GW of renewable energy projects in Gujarat, 1 GW of solar farms in Madhya Pradesh and feeding areas in the Akhnoor and Jammu regions through the establishment of the Siot Substation in Jammu.

By extending the transmission network, it would enhance seamless transfer of power from power surplus regions to power deficit regions. This would optimize the use of generation resources, as well as meet the needs of end users without a transmission constraint. In addition, this would promote the growth of renewable energy-based capacity, the statement added further.

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