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

Technology

28 Oct 2025

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Infrastructure Transport

28 Oct 2025

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

Real Estate

28 Oct 2025

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..