ADB consultants to fine-tune transmission plan
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 24
The state electricity regulatory commission has advised Asian Development Bank (ADB) consultants to explore the possibility of incorporating underground substations in the proposed Rs 4,500-crore transmission master plan to help overcome the constraints of space in the difficult hill terrain.

The seven-member team of the ADB, which is providing financial and technical assistance to the state for fine-tuning the master plan for evacuation of over 12,000-MW power from hydroelectric projects, is in the city to hold consultation with concerned agencies to give final shape to the plan. The ADB is also providing an assistance of $6 lakh to the state power transmission corporation to fine tune the master plan. The team headed by Geoff Stott has already held meetings with the chairman of the state electricity regulatory commission and the state power utility.

The commission apprised the team of the space constraints in the precipitous mountainous terrain with high hills and narrow valleys affording a narrow corridor laying the transmission network. It is imperative that the system should be designed for superior conductors with three to four times higher capacity to avoid multiplicity of transmission lines. The ADB, which is providing a loan of Rs 4,000 crore to the state power corporation for execution of four major hydroelectric projects, is keen to see the transmission network completed in time to facilitate evacuation of power.

The problem of space was acute in tribal Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts and parts of Kullu. The involvement of the ADB in finalisation of the plan would ensure that advanced technology was used and it would also be helpful for the state in securing funds for implementation of the master plan. In the first phase transmission lines were proposed be laid for projects scheduled for completion from 2010 to 2014 and the total cost was estimated to be Rs 2,260 crore.

The state had drawn flak from the Central Electricity Authority for the tardy progress on the transmission network front, which was leading to a situation where projects were nearing completion without the required system for evacuation of power in place. The master plan had not taken care to ensure that there was no crowding of lines in the narrow valleys. There was not enough space on the ground to lay multiple lines and the state Forest Department had also made it clear that it would not allow felling of trees for the purpose