PowerGrid’s under sea line project

India: The PowerGrid Corporation of India proposes to lay down an under sea line between India and Sri Lanka. The proposed undersea high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line will be for the transfer of 500-mw, which will be subsequently upgraded to 1,000 mw.

According to Power Ministry sources, the proposed undersea transmission line entails an investment of around Rs. 1,500 crore.

“A pre-feasibility study is being carried out by the PowerGrid Corporation for the proposed venture. So far undersea HVDC transmission lines are in place between the UK and the France for transmission of 2,000 mw.”

PowerGrid Corporation’s plan was according to the bilateral investment arrangement between India and Sri Lanka, sources said. The proposed undersea transmission line could be useful for NTPC which plans to set up 500 mw imported coal-based power project at Trincomalee.