PM inaugurates Power Grid’s 320 kV 2,000 MW Pugalur – Thrissur HVDC project

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Power Grid's 320 kV 2,000 MW Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) HVDC project in presence of Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister of State (I/c) (Power and New Renewable Energy RK Singh, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Electricity, Govt. of Kerela MM Mani, senior officials of Ministry of Power, State Govt. of Kerala, Power Grid and THDCIL. The event was held over video conference. Prime Minister also dedicated a 50 MW Kasaragod solar power project to the nation.

Speaking on the inauguration of Power Grid's 320 kV 2,000 MW Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) HVDC project, RK Singh said that this transmission line is therefore a timely gift to Kerala. He said, "We have also expanded the inter-regional transmission r capacity from 35,950 MW – in 2014 to 1,03,550 MW today.  We increased the inter-regional transmission capacity to South India from 7,250 MW in 2014 to 21,450 MW; out of which the inter-state transfer capacity to Kerala is 3,300 MW. The allocation for Kerala from the Central Sector is 2,266 MW but its peak drawl from the National Grid has already touched 3,100 MW – touching the maximum transfer capacity to Kerala. As the demand increases – and it is expected to touch 5,000 MW by 2022, the capacity to transfer more power to Kerala needs to increase."

He further added that the project will enable the transfer of 2,000 MW of additional power to Kerala. Out of this Kerala will be able to utilize 1,000 MW right now and draw the remaining 1,000 MW after strengthening their system for which the work is going on.

The transmission line dedicated on Friday is a voltage source converter based high voltage direct current system, the most modern in the world and the first of its kind in India. It enables safe and faster transmission with reduced losses and this also enables transmission through cables. Out of 165 Kms of transmission lines, about 27 kms is underground cables. This technology facilitates smart grid; provides greater flexibility in reactive power management and also enables integration of renewable energy resources. The project cost is Rs 5,070 crores.

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While talking about 50 MW Kasaragod Solar Power Project Singh said that the entire power generated from this project will be consumed by Kerala. Our rate of growth of renewable energy capacity is the highest in the world. We have installed 92,500 MW of renewable energy capacity 49,500 MW is under installation and 27,000 MW is underbid.

We have emerged as the most favored destination in the world for investments in Renewable Energy. We have come out with many innovative projects – such as solar wind hybrid, floating solar and round-the-clock renewable energy. We have a solar cities program in which 17 states have identified one city each to be converted to a solar city. We propose to come out with a bid for green hydrogen and we are also carrying out a survey for the installation of offshore wind. Our survey and preparatory work for the installation of 10,000 MWs of renewable energy in Ladakh and its evacuation is in an advanced stage. We have projects for carbon-neutral Andaman and Lakshadweep.

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