GE commissions Pole 2 of Champa-Kurukshetra HVDC link

• First energy link in India transmitting 3000 MW of power through HVDC
• 3000 MW power will be transmitted through 1,287 km energy highway transporting electricity from Champa in the Central-Eastern region of India to Kurukshetra in the North
• GE’s first 800 kV Ultra High Voltage Direct Current project worldwide
  

Paving the way for reliable, safe and efficient access to energy in northern India, GE announced the successful completion of the first phase of the two-phased Champa-Kurukshetra HVDC project. Spearheaded by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, the Champa-Kurukshetra link is transmitting power of upto 3000 MW which has been achieved for the first time in India. The 1,287 Km energy highway augments the inter-regional capacity between northern (NR) and western (WR) regions on India’s power map and aims at improving power connectivity for an estimated 46% of India’s population. The ambitious two phase project is a result of a partnership of approximately INR 3000 crores between the two companies.

The successful transmission of 1,500 MW of power on second pole of the 800 kV UHVDC HVDC Champa - Kurukshetra Transmission System in this month, marks the completion of the first phase transmitting 3000MW through HVDC Interconnector Transmission System for IPP Projects in Chhattisgarh. GE is also mandated upgrading the transmission with addition of second HVDC Bipole (CK-2) of 3000MW. The first pole of 1500 MW power was commissioned in March 2017.

Being executed in two phases, GE’s first 800 kV UHVDC project worldwide will transport 6,000 MW of power upon full completion. The link aims to energize the demand centres of northern India by enabling states in the northern region such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to access power from generation projects coming up in Raigarh, Champa, and Raipur generation complex in Chhattisgarh.

Noting the significance of the partnership with Power Grid, Vishal Wanchoo, President & CEO of GE South Asia said, "The completion of this milestone follows the government’s ambitious Saubhagya scheme to bring ‘Power for All’, particularly to rural areas. As India makes progress towards achieving sustainable, universal access to electricity, an efficient mix of conventional and renewable power, along with strengthening of the inter and intra-state power evacuation system is required. Partnerships such as the Champa-Kurukshetra HVDC project can serve as a model for taking the benefits of the digital grid to the masses."

"Enabling affordable generation of electrical energy and helping people have reliable access to it, all over the world, is what GE strives for,” said Sunil Wadhwa, MD, GE T&D India Limited and Regional Head for Grid Solutions India and South Asia. “The project with Power Grid to deliver this 800 kV UHVDC connection transmitting 6000 MW from Central to Northern India in two phases, is an example of a steadfast collaborative initiative, that not only realizes the economic and environmental potential of the digital grid, but also aims to improve the lives of over half a billion people", he added.