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 Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..