The Power Grid Corporation (PGCIL) of India, has won all three power transmission projects in Rajasthan in a competitive bidding process. The tender was floated as a set of three projects by REC to enable the evacuation of solar energy under Phase II of its transmission infrastructure program. The transmission systems will be developed to evacuate 8.1 GW of power from various solar capacities in the state. PGCIL will develop the projects on a build, own, and operate basis. As per the tender document, the solar power that will be evacuated include, 1.05 GW from theBhadla complex, 2.2 GW fromFatehgarh complex, 1.9 GW from Ramgarh, and 2.95 GW from Bikaner. Part A and B of the project is set to be completed within 16 months of awarding of the contract while Part C will be completed in 18 months.
Under Part A of the project, a new 400/220 kV substation, 400 kV double circuit (D/C) transmission lines, and connected substation extension will be built in Rajasthan. Under Part B, PGCIL will set upa 765 kV D/C transmission line and associated substation extension works and under Part C, the company will install a 765/400 kVsubstation, 765 kV D/C, and 400 kV D/C transmission lines with connected substation extension works.
In September 2020, PGCIL reported the start of commercial operations of the first leg ofthe 6 GW Raigarh-Pugalur high voltage direct current transmission project. In July 2019, NTPC Limited and PGCIL signed a memorandum of understanding for establishing the National Electricity Distribution Company Limited, as a pan-Indian power distribution company, in an equal JV for undertaking electricity distribution business in various states and union territories, and other discom-related activities.