Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a major landmark with its equipment enabling record power transmission of 6,000 MW, over the recently commissioned ±800 kV, 6,000 MW Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) link between the Western Region Grid (Raigarh, Chhattisgarh) and the Southern Region Grid (Pugalur, Tamil Nadu).
BHEL Equipment Supplied
BHEL has been proudly associated with building this prestigious project of national importance which will supplement power availability in the Southern Grid.
For this project, among other equipment and systems, BHEL’s significant contribution includes Converter Transformers, Shunt Reactors, Filter Bank Capacitors, and Instrument Transformers from its Bhopal Plant and Thyristor Valves from its Electronics Division, Bengaluru plant.
Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) Transmission
AC power generated at the IPPs at Raigarh is converted into DC power for transmitting it over 1800 km
AC power generated at the IPPs at Raigarh is converted into DC power for transmitting it over 1800 km and then converting it back into AC power at the Pugalur end for interconnection with the Southern Grid through the HVDC transmission system.
Significantly, this is the second Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) Transmission Project by BHEL. Prior to this, the first of its kind in the world, the Agra Converter Terminal for North-East Agra +800 kV, 6000 MW, Multi-Terminal HVDC link was commissioned by BHEL in September 2016 (Bipole-1) and September 2017 (Bipole-2).
HVDC's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities
BHEL has been associated with HVDC projects in India since its inception by establishing the first HVDC link in the country between Barsoor (Chhattisgarh) and Lower Sileru (Andhra Pradesh). Subsequently, BHEL has been involved in several HVDC links like Rihand-Dadri, Chandrapur-Padghe, and Ballia-Bhiwadi links.
The company has established state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for HVDC products up to 800 kV and undertakes turnkey projects from concept to commissioning as an EPC contractor for EHV Substations, HVDC Converter Stations, and FACTS solutions, backed by Power System Studies.