PM inaugurates Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated POWERGRID’s 320 kV 2000 MW Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) HVDC project on 19 February. He also dedicated a 50 MW Kasaragod Solar Power Project to the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister said that the Pugalur – Thrissur High Voltage Direct Current system will facilitate transfer of huge quantum of power to meet the growing power demands of Kerala. This is also the first time the VSC converter technology has been introduced in the Country for transmission. The project cost is Rs. 5,070 crore.
Power Minister R.K. Singh said, “We increased the inter-regional transmission capacity to South India from 7,250 MW in 2014 to 21,450 MW; out of which the inter-state transfer capacity to Kerala is 3,300 MW. The allocation for Kerala from the Central Sector is 2,266 MW but its peak drawl from the National Grid has already touched 3,100 MW – touching the maximum transfer capacity to Kerala. As the demand increases – and it is expected to touch 5,000 MW by 2022, the capacity to transfer more power to Kerala needs to increase.”
He further added that the project will enable transfer of 2,000 MW of additional power to Kerala. Out of this Kerala will be able to utilize 1,000 MW right now and draw remaining 1,000 MW after strengthening their system for which the work is going on.
