Madhya Pradesh to Evacuate 2,500 MW of RE with New Transmission Systems

In a significant move for the development of renewable energy infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh, the National Committee on Transmission (NCT), has recommended the transmission systems necessary for evacuating power from two major renewable energy projects in the State.

NCT has informed the Ministry of Power (MoP) about these projects, which are located in Rajgarh and Neemuch. The transmission system for the 1500 MW renewable energy projects in Rajgarh (Phase III) has been recommended under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process with REC Power Development and Consultancy Ltd. (RECPDCL) as its bid processor coordinator (BPC) .

The proposed system, recommended during its 24th meeting, aims to ensure efficient power evacuation from the Rajgarh SEZ, which is expected to play a key role in achieving India’s renewable energy targets.

Similarly, the transmission system for the 1000 MW renewable energy projects in Neemuch (Phase II) has also been recommended for TBCB with PFC Consulting as its BPC. These transmission systems are critical for enabling the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the national grid, ensuring the efficient transfer of power from the new renewable energy zones to the wider grid network.

The recommendations by the NCT represent a crucial step in advancing the State’s renewable energy projects and supporting India’s broader clean energy ambitions.

It may be noted that during 24th meeting representatives from Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd. (CTUIL) presented a significant update on the Renewable Energy (RE) zone development in Madhya Pradesh, specifically at Rajgarh and Neemuch. As per CTUIL, the 2.5 GW REZ potential at Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh, includes Phase-I, which is already commissioned by G R Infraprojects Ltd., involving the establishment of the Pachora PS with 3x500 MVA 400/220 kV ICTs and a Pachora PS–Bhopal 400 kV D/c line.

While, Phase-II, under implementation, involves the augmentation of the ICTs at Pachora PS and the construction of a Pachora PS–Ujjain 400 kV D/c line, with a scheduled completion date of February 14, 2026.

It further said that given the rising demand for power evacuation at Rajgarh, with over 4000 MW applications received till July 2024, CTUIL plans to expand the substations to accommodate the increased capacity. Additionally, for the Rajgarh Phase-III system, RE projects totaling 1321 MW have been approved with a March 2027 start date, and 187 MW more applications received in July 2024 are under process.

To facilitate the evacuation of up to 4000 MW of power from these renewable energy projects, CTUIL proposed a transmission scheme, including the augmentation of Pachora PS and the construction of a 400 kV D/c line from Pachora PS to Rajgarh.

The scheme is estimated to cost NR 1079 crore under the TBCB route. The key elements of the transmission system include the creation of a new 220 kV bus section at Pachora PS, ICT augmentations, additional 220 kV and 400 kV line bays, and the installation of line reactors to ensure stability and efficient power evacuation.

Similarly, for the Neemuch RE zone, where applications for a cumulative capacity of 1970 MW have been received, CTUIL proposed a comprehensive transmission system under Phase-II. This plan includes the expansion of Neemuch PS, the creation of a 400/220 kV Handiya substation, and a series of transmission lines linking Neemuch PS to Pachora PS and Handiya, as well as a LILO of the Khandwa(PG)-Itarsi(PG) 400 kV D/c line at Handiya substation.

The proposed transmission system for Neemuch aims to evacuate up to 2000 MW of power, beyond the initial 1000 MW capacity. The scheme is estimated to cost INR 2393 crore and is also recommended under the TBCB route. The project includes the augmentation of ICT capacity at Neemuch PS, installation of additional line bays for interconnection, and the establishment of a 420 kV bus reactor.

Furthermore, the Pachora PS–Handiya 400 kV D/c line will be augmented with switchable line reactors at both ends to maintain grid stability. The expected timeframe for the implementation of these transmission elements is 24 months from the date of SPV transfer.

Both schemes are part of the broader effort to expand renewable energy infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh, ensuring the efficient evacuation of power from large-scale RE projects to meet the growing demand for renewable energy.