CERC panel bats for enhancement in central, state transmission systems to address congestion

Suggests involvement of more public and private entities to undertake transmission projects

Amidst the increasing transmission congestion in northern and southern regions, a high power panel appointed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has suggested a slew of recommendations, including putting in place a mechanism to monitor critical lines on a quarterly basis to mitigate short and medium term constraints, to accelerate transmission capacity enhancement through public and private sector routes and expedite transmission development, especially at state level.

The panel emphasised the need to enhance transfer capability such as converting single circuit line to double circuit, upgrading 220 kV system to 400 kV, beefing up existing towers and re-conductoring.

Indian Energy Exchange, one of the two power exchanges has said the congestion in transmission caused loss of 3.1 billion units of electricity on it in 2014-15.

Former union power secretary R V Shahi, who headed the panel, told Business Standard, "Nearly 70 transmission links need to be set right at the earliest. A number of public and private sector players should be mobilized in addition to the PowerGrid Corportion to undertake expansion of the transmission system which has obviously not kept pace with the massive expansion in generation capacity. Earlier the congestion was limited to south now even northern region was not able to get power from other regions even if it is available."



The panel has suggested that a mechanism should be institutionalized by involving consultants to provide first hand information in regard to status of implementation of generation and transmission projects in the states. This would provide realistic data about gaps in execution so that one could navigate and re-plan.

PowerGird Corporation's former chairman and managing director R P Singh attributed the transmission congestion to the development of merchant power plants, non development of hydro power projects in north east and lack of development of coastal power projects in the southern region.

''Only solution lies in taking up system strengthening schemes in every region and also in some states,'' he opined.

Association of Power Producers director general Ashok Khurana said generation segment is in high growth phase with 23,000 MW capacity added in this year and another about 50,000 MW expected in next 2 years.

"Transmission constraints are bound to exacerbate leading to progressively increasing trapped power for want of transmission corridors. The transmission planning has to move from a reactive to proactive approach while factoring in the Government's focused thrust on renewables. In addition to construction of new lines/corridors, other possible measures to enhance the transfer capability should also be given due attention. In addition, the inadequacies of State transmission network would also need to be removed to ensure last-mile connectivity," he noted.