Will help evacuate additional 1,000 mw amid rising demand and grid collapse
Sanjay Jog: 8There is good news for Mumbaikars. They can expect uninterrupted power supply in the wake of rise in demand and grid collapse as the Adani Energy Solutions Limited has commissioned the 400 KV Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line. This will facilitate evacuation of additional 1,000 mw of power from outside the city.
Kharghar Vikhroli Transmission Limited (KVTL), which will enable additional power to be brought into Mumbai and thus enable in meeting the city’s growing and future electricity demand, is commissioned. Built by Adani Energy Solutions Limited (earlier known as Adani Transmission Limited), the energy solution, transmission and distribution arm of the Adani portfolio, the project is critical for Mumbai as the existing capacity of the transmission corridor is not sufficient to carry further power into the city.
The commissioning of this line is crucial as Mumbai had witnessed grid failure twice in recent times – on February 27, 2022, and on October 12, 2020; localities across the metropolis went dark for a considerable period. The Kharghar-Vikhroli line will bring additional 1,000 MW of reliable power to Mumbai city as a solution to mitigate any such incidents in the future. With this project’s commissioning, Mumbai gets a 400 KV grid within its municipal geography, bringing enhanced import capability within its electricity grid and improving reliability and stability. For consumers, it provides that much more sustainability to commuting through bullet trains, Metro Rail and city railways, as also for commercial and residential establishments.
Noted energy expert Ashok Pendse said ‘’1,000 mw is being brought in Mumbai additionally from outside the city. During the tariff order MERC refused Tata power and BEST to allow the evacuation of the additional power from outside from the city’s existing transmission network. This necessitated the Tata power’s Trombay units to be operated which are in the range of Rs 6 to 7 per unit. This has resulted in high tariffs for BEST and Tata Power consumers. With the commissioning of this transmission line Tata Power and BEST should move MERC to bring in cheaper power from outside and provide a much needed relief in power tariff to consumers.’’ He further added, ‘’This will also help avert the tripping which happened in the past and facilitate 24 hours by 365 days of power supply network to Mumbaikars.’’
KVTL comprises approximately 74 circuit kilometres of 400 kV and 220 kV transmission lines, along with a 1,500 MVA 400kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at Vikhroli, the first 400KV substation of its kind in Mumbai. Occupying approximately 9,500 sq m area, it has the most compact design when it comes to 400 KV substations. Its unique design vertically stacks 400kV and 220kV GIS, thus minimizing space requirements, said the Adani Energy Solutions Limited. (AESL).
AESL braved a number of challenges while laying the line, mainly in surmounting difficult terrain, but these were overcome with the use of technology and innovation. For instance, six towers were constructed in creeks using heavy rigs on floating barges. In urban areas, height restrictions in some locations were overcome by adopting special horizontal configuration towers.
The KVTL project starts in the Kharghar area of Navi Mumbai, traverses through its urban locations and terminates at Vikhroli in Mumbai city. The project includes the following major elements:
• 400 kV/220 kV GIS Vikhroli substation, having 1500 MVA transformation capacity
• Air Insulated System switchyard at Kharghar
• 400 kV double/multi circuit Kharghar-Vikhroli line
• 400 kV loop in loop out (LILO) on Talegaon-Kalwa line at Vikhroli
HIGHLIGHTS
Mumbai is now 400 KV national grid Integrated
Mumbai’s unique and first ever 400 KV connection
established, with commissioning of a double circuit transmission line by Adani Energy Solutions Limited
This line was languishing for more than a decade and got awarded to Adani in 2021 through bidding
Project comprises first 400 kV GIS substation of Mumbai
Challenging project with 6 towers on creek and special horizontal towers in urban areas
It will provide much-needed redundancy and stability to power supply
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