Getco shows robust growth in network over ten years

Achieves 60% and 104% growth in 220 kv and 400 kv segments respectively

In what can be seen as a major achievement for Gujarat's power transmission sector, Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (Getco) has registered 60 per cent growth in setting up the transmission network in 220 kv voltage segment in the past decade.

Data revealed that Getco's transmission network under 220 kilovolt (kv) voltage class grew from 9,885 circuit kilometers (ckm) in 2001 to 15,774 ckm in March 2013, a growth of close to 60 per cent. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data showed that Central sector reported a growth of close to 21 per cent in the same voltage class from 8,687 ckm at the end of ninth five year plan (1997-2002) to 10,474 ckm by March 2013.

In the 400 kv voltage class - a higher capacity network, Getco has achieved 104 per cent growth from 1,764 ckm in 2001 to 3,603 ckm in March 2013. Central sector, however, fared better with over 160 per cent growth in the 400 kv class from 29,345 ckm at the end of ninth plan (1997-2002) to 76,534 ckm by March 2013.

Getco plans to invest close to ' 11,425 crore during the 12th five year plan (2012-17) and set up 14,500 ckm of transmission lines mainly focusing on 400 kv and 220 kv transmission network. In the current year, Getco plans to invest ' 2,430 crore to set up transmission lines of 3,249 ckm, of which 1,525 ckm will be 400 kv and 1,122 ckm will be 220 kv lines. Getco officials maintained that the company has shown sharp growth in the last 10 years by constructing around 37 per cent of the total ckm length of transmission lines added in past 40 years.

The 220 kv lines are mostly laid between two towns for transmission of power. It carries lesser load and connects the towns, thereby improves power distribution.

"It is not only the 220 kv lines but there is good growth in the 400 kv lines as well over the past decade. This shows that Gujarat's power distribution scenario is improving at a faster pace," said an official associated with a private sector power company.

"The power producers had expressed concerns about transmission lines, as many new projects were going on stream and also there were huge investments being made towards solar power generation. This necessitated the increase in transmission network," the official added.

"Better compensation for right of way (Row) would further boost the expansion of transmission network across the state," said a government source. In last April, the state government had increased the compensation for RoW by around 80 per cent.