The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has commissioned the first leg of the 6,000 MW Raigarh-Pugalur high voltage direct current transmission project.

PGCIL has commissioned Pole-1 of the Raigarh (Chhattisgarh) to Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) 1,765 km high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system comprising 1,500 MW capacity.

The work on the remaining three Poles (power transmission lines) is in advance stages.

Pole-1, the first leg of the project between the Western and Southern Region, is envisaged for evacuation of bulk power generated by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Chhattisgarh using HVDC technology.

This system will facilitate power flow of 1,500 MW from the Western Region to the Southern Region ensuring reliable and quality power supply.

The implementation of the balance portion of this project is in an advanced stage and will be integrated in a phased manner during FY21.

PGCIL has been maintaining average transmission system availability above 99 percent.

As on 31 August 2020, the total transmission assets of PGCIL and its subsidiaries stood at 1,64,511 circuit km of transmission lines, 249 sub-stations and more than 4,14,774 MVA of transformation capacity.