Govt clears decks to let Adani plant for Bangladesh link to India grid, Pg1.

Key Highlights:

• The central government has approved Adani Power Limited (APL) to build a transmission line connecting its Godda Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plant to the Indian grid .
• The transmission line will use a Line-in Line-Out (LILO) arrangement with the Kahalgaon A-Maithon B 400 KV line.
• The Ministry of Power granted APL the same powers as telegraph authorities under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, for placing telegraph lines.
• This decision follows amendments to regulations regarding electricity import/export, cross-border flows, and Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) access.
• The approval allows APL to sell power to domestic discoms, in addition to its existing supply to Bangladesh.
• The approval is valid for 25 years, subject to various clearances and compliance with regulations.

Detailed Insights:

• The Godda power plant, designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 2019, previously supplied electricity exclusively to Bangladesh.
• Following a change in government in Dhaka, an interim arrangement was made to connect the Godda plant with the ISTS, enabling power flow within India.
• APL requested permission to supply power to India due to increased domestic demand and potential issues with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
• The decision was made to accelerate the implementation process, with CTUIL providing APJL with standby ISTS connectivity details.
• The approval requires APL to obtain consent from local bodies, Railways, and National Highways before erecting the transmission line.
• APL must also comply with orders related to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and directions from the technical/expert committee constituted by the Supreme Court.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Discoms: Companies that distribute electricity to end consumers.
• ISTS (Inter-State Transmission System): A high-voltage network in India that transmits electricity across state borders.
• LILO (Line-in Line-Out): A configuration where a new transmission line is connected to an existing line by tapping into it and then exiting.