Power Grid Corporation of India has planned to form a series of joint ventures with private sector players for setting up transmission lines associated with new projects.

The corporation has reportedly consented to even offer management control to the private sector company concerned, through a 49:51 joint venture. PGCIL is prepared to take responsibility of revenue realisation from state-owned utilities and distribution companies.

The 2,000 MW Ib Valley thermal power project is a major project for which a Rs.2,500 crore HVDC line is being set up. Another joint venture has been proposed for evacuating power from the 600 MWe Koodankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

PGCIL is also planning to upgrade the Talcher-Kolchar HVDC station from the current level of 2,000 MW by another 500 MW at a cost of Rs.90 crore. It is also planning to upgrade the capacity of the 500 MW Gajuwaka HVDC link in Andhra Pradesh to 1,000 MW before January 2005.

PGCIL has set an overall target of setting up transmission lines equivalent to transmitting power worth 23,000 MW by the end of 2007. By 2009, this capacity would be increased to 30,000 MW and the final target of 50,000 MW would be attained by 2014. This massive programme is expected to cost Rs.70,000 crore at current prices.