OPTCL to invest Rs 3300 cr on power transmission by 2013-14

The Orissa Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), which has drawn up a Master Plan to invest Rs 3300 crore by 2013-14, has requested the state government to arrange grants and soft loans for meeting the funding requirement.

The amount will be invested by OPTCL on upgrading the existing transmission network, replacing the substations and also setting up new substations in the state along with associated lines.

OPTCL on Saturday, made a detailed presentation on the 'Master Plan' to the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The corporation apprised the Chief Minister on the need to scale up its organizational efficiency and its preparedness to implement the 'Master Plan'.

“OPTCL will be setting up around 50 new grid substations along with associated lines in the state by 2013-14. Out of 50 substations, 30 substations will be set up in locations which are economically unviable but these substations are being set up to ensure quality supply of power and reduce transmission loss. Two new substations will also come up in Bhubaneswar”, a highly placed official source told Business Standard.

OPTCL will also take up replacement of the some existing grid substations and associated lines. Presently, there are 95 grid substations in the state out of which 40 substations are already obsolete and are in urgent need of repair.

Meanwhile, Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd (Gridco), the bulk purchaser of power in the state has sought a financial guarantee of Rs 1000 crore from the state government for the current financial year to help tide over the loss incurred by the utility.

It may be noted that OPTCL had recently commissioned a 400/220 KV grid sub-station at Mendhasal on the outskirts of the city.

This sub-station has been built at a cost of Rs 160 crore. City-based AK Das Associates Ltd, an ISO certified electrical EHT construction firm, had carried out the grid substation project

The Mendhasal grid will address low-voltage problem and minimise power interruption besides meeting future load demand from the command area in Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Choudwar, Puri and Nimapara. It will also help reduce transmission loss.

The charging of the new grid, linked through a 100 km of 400 KV double circuit line from Meramundali, will enable drawing of power from the 3000 MW NTPC-Kaniha to Mendhasal. Besides, at times of need, hydro-power from southern Orissa can also be brought to this grid which will provide two alternative sources to the state.