Kshema Power Secures ₹108 Crore Transmission Project for Andhra Wind Farm

Kshema Power, an engineering firm based in Chennai, has been awarded a substantial ₹108 crore contract to construct a high-voltage transmission line in Andhra Pradesh. The project, which is located in Ananthapuram, entails the construction of a 42-kilometre transmission line of 400 kV. This new line is of particularly critical importance, as the transmission line is required to evacuate the power from a large wind project of one gigawatt (GW).

An important part of the specifications of the transmission line project is keeping the infrastructure future-proofed and designed to allow for expansion. It is a single-circuit line, which will be strung on double-circuit towers. This design allows for the single circuit to effectively and reliably transfer the power from the wind project while enabling the towers to support a second circuit should additional energy capacity come into the region. This proves viable and effective use of infrastructure.

As stated by the company, the contract represents a milestone for Kshema Power as it signifies the company's calculated re-entry into the high-voltage transmission sector. Managing director of Kshema Power, Dr. Sateesh Basant, remarked that the project reiterates the company's dedication to improving India's renewable energy infrastructure. He mentioned that the project will also generate jobs and assist with local economic development while executing the work to the utmost level of quality and safety standards.

Kshema Power will be responsible for the execution of the project from start to finish. This end-to-end scope will include obtaining design approvals, procuring all necessary materials, managing civil construction, building the transmission tower, and executing the required regulatory clearances. Kshema Power will also be responsible for performing all testing protocols to ensure compliance and reliability before the line is put into final commissioning.  The company intends to use specialized teams for every complex step.

The award of the project emphasizes Kshema Power's strong history in the renewable energy sector. Kshema Power was established in 1998 and has more than two decades of experience delivering over 4.5 GW of wind energy projects and more than 1,600 kilometres of transmission lines in various states across India. They also have experience with wind and solar park development, utility-scale solar and rooftop solar, etc., as well as some transmission and distribution projects. The new contract is a strategic growth of their service offerings in the clean energy value chain.

The development of dedicated transmission infrastructure is an essential enabler for India's renewable energy goals. The shift to larger scale wind and solar farms usually in more remote areas where renewable energy potential is highest adds an important layer of complexity when it comes to transporting that generated electricity to where it can be consumed. Projects like this transmission line in Andhra Pradesh will be necessary to limit curtailment of renewable power by making sure clean energy can still be transported to homes and businesses.