Sterlite Grid commissions 765-kV Bhopal Dhule transmission project

Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Limited (Sterlite Grid), a subsidiary of Pune based Sterlite Technologies Limited, has commissioned all eight elements of Bhopal Dhule transmission project. The project implemented by the special purpose vehicle Bhopal Dhule Transmission Company Limited (BDTCL) involves six transmission lines of about 1,000 circuit kilometres and the two 2x1500 MVA substations at Dhule and Bhopal.
 
Sterlite Grid is the first private developer to commission 765 kV project in India under the ‘build, own, operate and maintain’ model. The project traversing through the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat will attract annual tariff of close to Rs 250 crore. The fully commissioned project will contribute significantly to the cash flow of Sterlite Grid that will operate and maintain this project for 35 years. The project will benefit close to a million households in these states.
 
“Commissioning of BDTCL project is yet another milestone for Sterlite Grid as part of their endeavour to bridge transmission supply and bring uninterrupted electricity to all. It will not only enhance the grid reliability in Western Region but also provide markets to the power generation assets located in Odisha& Chhattisgarh,” said Pravin Agarwal, chairman, Sterlite Grid.
 
With commissioning of 765 kV single circuit Jabalpur - Bhopal transmission line on June 5, all eight elements of BDTCL including two critical substations are commissioned.
 
BDTCL project is part of the system strengthening scheme of the Western Region to facilitate the transfer of up to 5,000MW of electricity from the coal belt in the East, to the energy deficient regions of western and northern India. It involves 765 kV single circuit lines; Vadodara-Dhule-Aurangabad and Indore-Bhopal-Jabalpur, two 400 kV double circuit transmission lines and two 765/400 kV substations at Bhopal and Dhule to strengthen the transmission system in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. BDTCL is considered as a critical part of national grid as it facilitates the evacuation of power from Odisha & Chhattisgarh to load centres. This network will also provide energy stability to Indore, Dewas and Aurangabad among the other industrial pocket of the route.