POWER GRID CORPORATION OF INDIA
SPREADING LIGHT
By R P Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

POWERGRID, the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of the country, was incorporated in October 1989 for establishment and operation of regional and national power grids, through transfer of transmission assets and manpower from the constituent central sector undertakings namely NTPC, NHPC, NEEPCO etc. POWER GRID started commercial operation since 1992-93 and as on date, the company operates over 39,000 ckt kms of transmission lines along with 65 substations with transformation capacity of over 31, 655 MVA, spread over length and breadth of the country. The transmission system availability is maintained consistently over 98% by deploying best Operation and Maintenance practices at par with international utilities and today our company is the largest transmission utility in the World. About 30% (30,000 MW) of total power is being transferred across the country over POWERGRID transmission network.

POWERGRID has an impressive track record. The Turnover went up from a modest Rs.634 crores in 1992-93 to Rs.2,124 crores in 1999-2000, registering an average annual growth rate of 33% and Net Profit was Rs.601 crores in 1999-2000 as against Rs. 236 crores in 1992-93 thereby establishing an annual growth rate of about 23%.

POWERGRID has been consistently achieving "Excellent" MOU rating with Ministry of Power since 1993-94 and is the recipient of 'Prime Minister's MOU Award" for the second consecutive year i.e. in the years 1997-98 and 1998-99. POWER GRID has been recognised as a Miniratna PSU by the Government of India.

POWERGRID is an ISO 9001 company having in-house expertise in all specialised areas of transmission with systems upto 800 KV AC, + 500 KV HVDC, Gas Insulated Sub-stations, Static Var Compensation, Series Capacitors etc.

Today, POWERGRID is not dependent on any budgetary support from the Government and has invested over Rs. 9,500 Crores in its transmission schemes and is planning to invest about Rs. 46,000 crores upto the end of 11th Five year Plan to build strong and flexible National Grid. Based upon its in-house expertise, it has bagged many consultancy projects in the country and is gearing to become a global transmission entity.

POWERGRID has evolved a highly effective disaster management system to minimise the impact on transmission system caused by natural calamities like flood, cyclone etc. by deploying Emergency Restoration System (ERS). The devastation caused by cyclone of Gujarat in June 1998 and Orissa in October 1999 was attended by POWERGRID on war footing and normalcy was restored within few days which otherwise would have taken months.

POWERGRID is the only organisation in India to evolve Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP) through public interactions and is implementing the ESPP in its transmission projects in letter and spirit.

POWERGRID has accorded an utmost priority for transfer of surplus power from Eastern region to other power deficit regions. POWERGRID has taken number of steps including implementation of inter-regional links. As a result of above, export of power from Eastern Region has increased from mere 230 MW in 1997 to about 1150 MW in 2000 and energy exchange has also increased to the tune of over 5,500 MU. On all India basis, the energy exchange between different regions has increased from, 3,600 MU in 1997-98 to about 7,350 MU in 1999-2000.

Towards development of National Grid, POWERGRID has already implemented 500 MW HVDC back-to-back link interconnecting Western and Northern Region at Vindhyachal, 1000 MW back-to-back link interconnecting Westren and Southern Region at Chandrapur and 500 MW back-to-back link interconnecting Eastern and Southern Regions at Gazuwaka. Another HVDC link of 500 MW capacity at Sasaram for exchange of power between Eastern and Northern Region in under execution and is likely to be commissioned by 2003. With the completion of the above link, the country will have in place a base level National Grid where in all regions will be interconnected. For creating redundancy and flexibility to integrate future generation schemes, ultimate National Grid would involve development of high capacity transmission corridor in chicken-neck area and establishment of a ring of 765 kV lines "Transmission Highways" (Corridors), interconnecting Eastern, Western and Northern Regions supported by HVDC interregional links.

POWERGRID is playing a catalytic role in development of SAARC grid for exchange of power and harnessing the vast potential of diversified resources available beyond the national boundary. Attempts are being made by POWERGRID, initially to exchange power between neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and strengthening the existing links with Nepal and Bhutan for establishment of SAARC grid. POWERGRID is also examining the feasibility of extending the boundaries of SAARC grid further to connect to other neighbouring countries like Mayanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Kazakistan etc.

POWERGRID has embarked upon a mission to establish a National Backbone telecom network and synergise its Power Transmission network to Telecom Super Highways in a phased manner. A Feasibility Report to this effect is already prepared and submitted to Government of India for investment approval. POWERGRID plans to enter into telecom business as " National Long Distance Operator" (NLDO) for which it has invited proposals for selection of Joint Venture Partner (JVP) on international competitive basis. This will necessitate laying of 52,000 Kms of Optical fibre to connect 321 Long Distance Charging Areas (LDCAs) in the country at a cost of about Rs. 5000 crores. In addition, POWERGRID has already entered into MOUs for utilisation of capacity with major players in telecommunication business like VSNL, BPL Ltd., Jain TVS, Kumars, Larsen & Toubro etc. reflecting
 

In a nutshell, POWERGRID has already taken major strides in fulfilment of its mission to transmit power within and across the regions with reliability, security, and economy. After crossing major milestones, POWERGRID has taken a conscious decision to diversify into telecom, synergic with power transmission to mobilise resources. These resources will be ploughed back in establishing National Grid with the ultimate aim of providing cheaper power to the common man living in the remotest part of the country.

 the confidence these organisations have in POWERGRID. It was a matter of pride for POWERGRID that, on August, 2, 2000, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India inaugurated the First lap of POWERGRID's optic fibre telecom network between Delhi and Chandigarh under Northern Region Unified Load Despatch and Communication (NR-ULDC) Project. The other major links being commissioned includes Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla, Salem-Bangalore and Bangalore-Gooty. POWERGRID will utilise the spare/excess capacity of telecom network already available under Unified Load Despatch and Communication (ULDC) facilities.

In a nutshell, POWERGRID has already taken major strides in fulfilment of its mission to transmit power within and across the regions with reliability, security, and economy. After crossing major milestones, POWERGRID has taken a conscious decision to diversify into telecom, synergic with power transmission to mobilise resources. These resources will be ploughed back in establishing National Grid with the ultimate aim of providing cheaper power to the common man living in the remotest part of the country. This way, the core responsibility of POWERGRID to develop National Grid "shall not be compromised". Private investment is contemplated to mitigate funding gaps, if it occurs, during the transition period. The ultimate beneficiary will be the public at large who will receive reliable and efficient telecom services as well as supply of quality power at a cost affordable by all.