Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has been granted an 18-month extension for the completion of its New Wanpoh substation augmentation project in Jammu & Kashmir.

In a recent communication, Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) revised the project’s completion date to 30 June, 2027, from the earlier 31 December, 2025. The project involves augmenting PGCIL’s 400/220kV New Wanpoh substation with a new interconnecting transformer (ICT) of 400/220kV, 315 MVA (3×105 MVA), and two transformer bays—one each of 400kV and 200kV. With an estimated cost of Rs 61 crore, it was awarded under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) on 22 March, 2024, with an initial 21-month timeline.

PGCIL cited challenges in awarding the substation extension contract. Despite floating tenders in July 2024 and granting 17 extensions, no bids were received by December 2024. Commissioned in 2014, the New Wanpoh substation is a critical interstate transmission system (ISTS) element linking the Kashmir Valley to the National Grid and forming part of the Northern Region System Strengthening Scheme – XVI.