The final phase of connecting the Southern Electricity Grid to the national network is likely to begin on 12 October 2012.
PGCIL is implementing the Rs 1,930-crore project. In the last phase of inter-connection, PGCIL will construct two 765 kV single circuit transmission lines. The first line will be laid from Raichur to Sholapur and the second will come up from Sholapur to Pune. This would connect the Southern Grid to the Western network, finally facilitating inter-connection of the national highway. The company will also set up 765-400 kV substations at Raichur, Sholapur and Pune.
The project will facilitate the creation of the All India Synchronous National Grid when all the five grids - Northern, Eastern, Western, North Eastern and Southern - are inter-connected. The synchronisation of all the grids is expected to be completed by first quarter of 2014. Currently, all regional electricity grids are inter-connected except the Southern.