The country’s IT capital is set for a massive augmentation of power transmission capacity to take care of its requirements for the next seven to 10 years.
With a slew of power generation projects in both the central and State sectors as well as non-conventional fields in the pipeline, the city is being readied to handle the growth in terms of real estate, industry and other civic infrastructure.
According to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) Managing Director Jawaid Akhtar, the power transmission capacity of Bengaluru is set to be increased from 2,500 MW to 7,500 MW at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,720 crore.
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KPTCL Transmission Director S. Sumanth is confident that the project could be completed in four years.
The project is bound to improve the supply situation as transmission congestion is coming in the way of meeting peak-hour demand in some areas despite the availability of power.
The project will focus on areas in the outskirts. It expected to support growth on the outskirts.
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Works under this plan include the establishment of sub-stations at ITI, Koramangala, Kumbalgodu and Manyata Tech Park. Most will be Gas Insulated Sub-stations (GIS), which require less space compared with conventional ones.
Experts feel that such augmentation is the need of the hour as the city’s power consumption has been growing at a rate of about 15 per cent a year. The city accounts for more than 25 per cent of the State’s power consumption besides being a major revenue-yielding centre for the power utility.
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TRANSMISSION BOOST
* Power transmission capacity to be increased from 2,500 MW to 7,500 MW
* Will take care of city’s needs for the next 10 years
* Capacity in Tier-2 cities and major towns too will be increased
* Rs. 3,279 crore project envisages setting up nearly 2,000 km of 400-KV lines
* Expected to reduce transmission losses by 1%
* Will translate into savings of Rs. 240 crore per annum
* Will link new power generation stations with ‘load centres’ like Bengaluru
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Tier-2 cities and districts are set to get a boost in terms of power transmission capacity. Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited will set up nearly 2,000 km of high-capacity 400-kv power lines at a cost of Rs. 3,279 crore.
This is expected to take care of their needs for the next five years at least, according to KPTCL managing director Jawaid Akhtar.
The aim is to ensure that the transmission capacity is in tune with the proposed increase in power generation capacity.
While the newly set up Yeramarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Raichur district is set to generate 1,600 MW, the third unit of Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) with a capacity of 700 MW is set to reach its full potential soon.
The State is set to get its share of 2,000 MW in due course from the National Thermal Power Corporation’s new power plant at Kudgi in Vijayapura district.
Wind and solar power plants, with a total capacity of about 1,700 MW, are coming up near Vijayapura and surrounding areas. A 2,000-MW solar park is being set up in Pavagada in Tumakuru district.
Either a new power transmission network will be set up between these stations and various cities, mainly Bengaluru, or the existing one will be strengthened, pointed out KPTCL Transmission Director S. Sumanth.
Setting up of about 700 km of new lines is expected to be completed this year. The project will turn Vasanth Narasapura and Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru into major power transmission hubs.
Reduction in losses
According to sources, the proposed project will also improve revenue of the power transmission utility. The new network of 400-KV lines are expected to bring down the State’s transmission losses from 3.67 per cent to 2.68 per cent, which will translate into a saving of about Rs. 240 crore per annum.
the plan
KPTCL Transmission Director confident project could be completed in four years
The project will focus on areas on the outskirts
Sub-stations will be set up at ITI, Koramangala, Kumbalgodu and Manyata Tech Park