Power Grid Corporation of India has announced the successful synchronization of the Central Grid and the Northern Grid, thereby creating a national grid covering the entire country, except the southern region.

This synchronization has increased inter-regional transmission capacity to 11,500 MW from the current 9,500 MW. The synchronization has also resulted in a nationwide grid with a total capacity of 88,000 MW catering to 80 per cent of the country's power capacity.

The synchronization has been done with the help of infrastructure associated with the Tala transmission system which was implemented by Powerlinks Transmission Ltd -- a joint venture between PGCIL and Tata Power.

How it works:

The Tala transmission network will evacuate power from the upcoming 1,020 MW Tala hydropower project in Bhutan and supply it to the eastern region. The eastern region in turn is part of the Central Grid which also includes the north-eastern region and the western region. The total capacity of the Central Grid is 55,000 MW. The synchronization has resulted in a virtual union of the Central Grid and the Northern Grid (of 33,000 MW) creating a nationwide grid covering the country, except the southern region, with capacity 88,000 MW.

For a backgrounder on Tala Transmission Project, click here.