Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India has announced commissioning of 1,800 km long six GW ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission link from Raigarh to Pugalur.
The 800 kV transmission link has the capacity to meet electricity needs of more than 80 million people. It stretches from Raigarh in Chhattisgarh to Pugalur in Tamil Nadu.
The company has commissioned one of India’s longest UHVDC transmission links for the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL). Reliable power can now be transmitted in either direction depending on demand, with exceptionally low power losses and minimal environmental footprint.
The link supports the government’s mission and the UN Sustainable Development Goal of increasing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
The link strengthens grid resilience and stabilises power infrastructure by combining traditional and renewable power generation.
It enables further development and integration of sustainable energy, supporting the government’s goal of reaching 450 GW renewable energy by 2030. Using HVDC helps conserve the environment by only occupying only about one-third of the land compared to a traditional AC link.
The consortium of Hitachi ABB Power Grids and state-owned BHEL won the order in 2016 from PGCIL.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids has been responsible for delivering UHVDC converter stations, including design, engineering, construction, installation and commissioning, as well as major equipment, including 800 kV converter transformers, converter valves, high-voltage products and control and protection technology.
Raigarh-Pugalur link is the company’s sixth HVDC project in India and the second UHVDC installation, following the multi-terminal Northeast Agra link.
