Siemens commissions India’s first HVDC power transmission link

18 Mar 2021 CW Staff

The company told the media that it has commissioned India's first HVDC link featuring VSC technology. The VSC technology has been brought to India for the first time by Powergrid through this project.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd’s (PGCIL) 320 kV 2,000 MW Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC project through videoconferencing.

The Rs 5,070 crore Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC system is part of the Raigarh-Pugalur-Thrissur 6,000 MW HVDC system and enables the transfer of 2,000 MW to Kerala through the HVDC station at Madakkathara, Thrissur.

Siemens Ltd has developed the ±320 kV HVDC system in association with a consortium of Siemens Energy (Germany) and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd, Japan. According to Siemens, it features for the first time the integration of HVDC XLPE cable with overhead lines in India.

Major HVDC equipment such as interface transformers and insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based power converters and other high and medium voltage AC equipment such as air-insulated switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, control and relay panels, among others, have been supplied from Siemens Ltd's factories in India.

The VSC technology reduces land requirement significantly compared to conventional HVDC systems and is particularly suitable for Kerala, where land is scarce.

It also facilitates the development of a smart grid and improves system resilience under various operating conditions. A unique feature of this project is the combination of overhead line and underground conductor for transmission of power. PGCIL optimised the right of way (RoW) requirement through innovative tower design and cable use.

The electricity transmission system, consisting of two links between Pugalur in Tamil Nadu and Thrissur in Kerala, supports PGCIL to counter the power deficit in the southern region and improve the grid stability.

Image Source

Also read: Pugalur-Madakkathara power corridor is finally reaching completion

Global business conglomerate Siemens has commissioned a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power transmission link having voltage-sourced converter (VSC) technology between Pugalur in Tamil Nadu and Thrissur in Kerala. The company told the media that it has commissioned India's first HVDC link featuring VSC technology. The VSC technology has been brought to India for the first time by Powergrid through this project. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd’s (PGCIL) 320 kV 2,000 MW Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC project through videoconferencing. The Rs 5,070 crore Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC system is part of the Raigarh-Pugalur-Thrissur 6,000 MW HVDC system and enables the transfer of 2,000 MW to Kerala through the HVDC station at Madakkathara, Thrissur. Siemens Ltd has developed the ±320 kV HVDC system in association with a consortium of Siemens Energy (Germany) and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd, Japan. According to Siemens, it features for the first time the integration of HVDC XLPE cable with overhead lines in India. Major HVDC equipment such as interface transformers and insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based power converters and other high and medium voltage AC equipment such as air-insulated switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, control and relay panels, among others, have been supplied from Siemens Ltd's factories in India. The VSC technology reduces land requirement significantly compared to conventional HVDC systems and is particularly suitable for Kerala, where land is scarce. It also facilitates the development of a smart grid and improves system resilience under various operating conditions. A unique feature of this project is the combination of overhead line and underground conductor for transmission of power. PGCIL optimised the right of way (RoW) requirement through innovative tower design and cable use. The electricity transmission system, consisting of two links between Pugalur in Tamil Nadu and Thrissur in Kerala, supports PGCIL to counter the power deficit in the southern region and improve the grid stability. Image Source Also read: Pugalur-Madakkathara power corridor is finally reaching completion

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..