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To prevent countrywide blackout like one in July last year, PowerGrid is set to roll out 10-15 new projects aimed at strengthening the existing grids.
Looking at opportunities here is Alstom T&D India, the subsidiary of France-based Alstom Group.
The first tender for the exercise is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2013-14.
Alstom is targeting to bag these projects that may offer business opportunities of nearly Rs 3,000 crore, said Rathin Basu, Country President and Managing Director, Alstom T&D India.
Alstom T&D India is one of the leading players in the power transmission business. Other foreign companies include Germany-based Siemens AG and Switzerland-based ABB.
PowerGrid that manages nationwide network of five electricity grids and load despatch centres is targeting to stabilise and improve the existing transmission lines particularly in Northern and Central India.
The entire exercise is pegged to cost the public sector company up to Rs 3,000 crore.
In July last year, the Northern, Eastern and North-Eastern Grids — that cater to over half-of-the country’s 1.2 billion population — failed resulting in complete darkness across most part of India.
Basu said the extension of transmission networks in the country is not at par with growth in generation capacities. For instance, in Chhattisgarh, nearly 10,000 MW is idle due to lack of transmission infrastructure, he explained.
STATES’ NETWORK
The States gearing up to upgrade their electricity distribution network offer new revenue generation routes for companies dealing in the transmission business.
Post the blackout incident, few States have approached PowerGrid to help them strengthen their transmission networks.
States such as Bihar and Odisha have entered into memorandum of understanding (MoU) to under take these projects, confirmed a PowerGrid official.
Basu pointed out that a national grid may not be stable unless it is supported by technically improved sub-transmission network in the States. “Grid has to be stable as a whole,” he added.
For example, devices such as static var compensator (SVC) needs to be installed that would help improve the electricity flow by controlling high-voltage electricity transmission networks. The Rs 4,449-crore worth Alstom T&D India claims to offer such solutions.
In addition, Delhi that had announced the launch of islanding scheme is also going to come up with tenders shortly to execute the projects.
Alstom T&D India is understood to be in advanced stage of grabbing a chunk of these projects.
Basu did not divulge any details on projects from the Delhi Government. He said that the company would formally make an announcement if it bags a contract.
Alstom T&D India closed 0.03 per cent higher at Rs 186.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Thursday.
siddhartha.s@thehindu.co.in
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