Khavda RE Park Gets A Boost With Green Transmission Line

Juniper Green Gets CERC Nod For Power Trading Licence

India’s ambitious Khavda Renewable Park in Gujarat has now got an impetus with a dedicated transmission line to evacuate 7 GW of renewable power. This comes after the Khavda-Bhuj Transmission Limited (KBTL) received the central power regulator nod to proceed ahead to establish the dedicated renewable evacuation line.

KBTL had earlier approached the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) seeking grant of a separate transmission licence for the implementation of the transmission system for the evacuation of green power from the potential renewable energy zone in Khavda under Phase-IV (7 GW). It is supposed to be done through the Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM) mode. 

KBTL was incorporated as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL) as part of a bidding process for the implementation of the transmission system for the evacuation of 3 GW of renewable power under Phase-I. In 2021, Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL), earlier known as Adani Transmission Limited (ATL) acquired 100% of the shareholding in KBTL by executing a Share Purchase Agreement with PFCCL. 

KBTL Gets Exemption

KBTL this year had sought a separate licence to implement the new transmission line project for Phase-IV with an estimated cost of Rs 216 crore. The Union government had on July 10, 2023 approved the implementation of the transmission system for evacuation of power through the potential renewable energy zone in Khavda under Phase-IV. The CERC, earlier in May this year had said that the petitioner did not fulfil any of the eligibility conditions for the grant of a transmission licence but it granted the transmission licence due to a special provision of the government. 

As per the revised Terms of Reference of the Ministry of Power, for ISTS projects costing upto Rs 100 crore to Rs 500 crore would be approved by the CTUIL. The CERC, however, said that this special provision went in favour of the petition and any deviation from this order would defeat the very purpose of the policy. CERC, thus proposed to grant the licence to KBTL based on this provision and asked the petitioner to publish notification in newspapers seeking views/objections from the public and stakeholders. In its latest petition, as no objection was received, the CERC granted licence to KBTL.

Khavda RE Park 

The move is set to pave the way for the easy evacuation of renewable power from the most ambitious renewable park in India. In Khavda, Adani Group has already committed to build renewable projects of capacities up to 30 GW in phases. Works have now started to bolster establishment of solar and wind projects at the site and also bolster its power evacuation systems. Khavda renewable park is now touted as world’s largest renewable park. Adani Green has already commissioned renewable projects with capacities of upto 1 GW in FY23. This site is set to see solar, wind and hybrid projects.