Power Grid completes 1st phase of North East-Agra link

State-run Power Grid Corp has completed the first phase of its Rs 12,000-crore transmission line of 6,000 MW capacity between north eastern region and Agra.
"The first pole (phase) of the 1,730-km-long 800 kv HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission line has been completed and power can flow in either direction," Power Grid Corp Chairman and Managing Director R N Nayak told reporters in a press briefing here today.
Naik said that this transmission link will help in getting supply of surplus power from north eastern region during monsoon to north and western India, whereas in winters it will be vice versa.

During winters, availability of water is reduced in the north eastern region and hydro power generation goes down.
A senior Power Grid official said the entire project of 6,000 MW capacity will be operational by August 2016 with completion of second, third and fourth phases.
The 1,750-km of HVDC line traverses through very difficult terrain in three regions and four states, crossing more than 40 rivers.
This high-capacity transmission link is the world's largest multi-terminal 800kV HVDC project which comprises of 3,000 MW HVDC terminals at Biswanath Chariyali and Alipurduar each and a 6,000 MW terminal at Agra.