ABB readies first phase of NE Agra transmission link

Power and automation technology group ABB today said it has readied first phase of North-East Agra 800 kilovolt (kv) transmission link to supply hydro-power from north-eastern India.
"ABB has energised the first pole of the North-East Agra 800 kilovolt (kv) ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission link, which will supply clean hydro-power from north-eastern India to a nodal substation in Agra and from there, feed it across North India," the company said in a release.
According to the statement, the project is being executed by ABB together with BHEL on a turnkey basis, including design, system engineering, supply, installation and commissioning for Power Grid Corp.

This completes phase one of the project, which enables transfer of up to 1,500 megawatt (mw) of electricity along this link across 1,728 kilometres, it said.
When fully commissioned in 2016, the link will become the world's first multi-terminal UHVDC connection, capable of transmitting enough electricity to serve around 90 million people based on average national consumption, it added.
The North-East Agra link will help address the shortage of power in North India by transporting hydropower generated in the mountainous North-East.
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies which enables utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact.