POWERGRID, a Navratna public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Power, owns and operates 73,000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines with 124 sub-stations. S.K Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director of the power sector giant, spoke to Hindustan Times on a range of issues. Excerpts:
POWERGRID plays a pivotal role in the power transmission sector. Can you elaborate on your existing operations.
POWERGRID, the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), is engaged in power transmission business with the mandate for planning, co-ordination, supervision and control over complete inter-State transmission system and operation of national and regional power grids. The company has been able to consistently maintain the availability of this transmission network at over 99per cent, comparable with best international standards.
What steps are being taken by POWERGRID during 11th Plan to enhance inter-regional power transfer capacity?
Inter-regional power transfer capacity of the national grid is likely to be enhanced to more than 37,000 mega watt by 2012. In line with the plan to establish an integrated national grid in a phased manner, various inter-regional transmission schemes have been commissioned and undertaken during the year. National Grid with inter-regional power transmission capacity of 20,800MW has already been established.
What steps have been taken to develop new technologies for power transfer from large generating stations?
POWERGRID's network comprises mainly of 400kV AC and 500kV HVDC transmission lines. The company has also introduced 765kV transmission voltage by commissioning and operating the country's first 765 kV transmission line. Considering the huge power transfer requirements and severe Right of Way constraints, we have initiated action for introducing next higher transmission voltage of 1200kV in AC and 800kV in HVDC.
What steps have been taken to develop new technologies for power transfer from large generating stations?
POWERGRID's network comprises mainly of 400kV AC and 500kV HVDC transmission lines. The company has also introduced 765kV transmission voltage by commissioning and operating the country's first 765 kV transmission line. Considering the huge power transfer requirements and severe Right of Way constraints, we have initiated action for introducing next higher transmission voltage of 1200kV in AC and 800kV in HVDC.
Your company has planned an ambitious capital expenditure of Rs.55,000 crore for 11th Plan. How do you plan to raise the funds?
POWERGRID has made an investment of about Rs.15,000 crore in the first two years of 11th Plan. For the current fiscal (FY 2009-10), we have a target of Rs. 10,500 crore.