CEA (Central
Electricity Authority) estimates a power demand for 11000 MW in the South by
the end of the 12th 6-year plan. In order to counter this, CEA plans
to lay 2 HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) lines from Gujarat & Chattisgarh
which can supply up to 6000MW linking to South India.
The Power demand by
the 4 south States by end of 2016-17 is estimated to be 57,221 MW. A huge
deficit is expected as all the major power generation projects in South under
construction are getting delayed. (The projects: Krishnapatnam Ultra Mega Power Project, Ind Barath,
Yermarus, Edlapur, Kalpakkam, Udangudi and Cheyyur UMPP).
Inter & intra regional transmission
connections are one option to overcome this. Hence 2 HVDC lines are planned
from Gujarat & Chattisgarh. 800 HVDC line would be between Raipur in
Chattisgarh and Pugalur in Tamil Nadu.
TANGEDCO along
with Maharashtra State Mining Corporation proposes to set up a 4,000
MW pit head power station in a coal block jointly allocated to them in Chhattisgarh.
The state would get 2500 mw as its share.
Gujarat will have surplus power which can be
transmitted to South with HVDC lines.The cost of the project is estimated at
Rs. 12,000 Crores.