— S. K. Negi, Managing Director
Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd
Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation is amongst the most
efficient state power transmission utilities in India.
S.K. Negi, in an
exclusive interaction with Electrical Monitor, talks on wide-ranging
subjects on power transmission. Apart from discussing GETCO's
capex plans and the utility's endeavour to build extra high-voltage
lines in the coming years, Negi makes an important observation
that apart from creating assets, capacity building in the area of
human resources is very vital to achieve both technical and
behavioral competencies. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
We understand that GETCO constructed a record number of 140
substations in 2011-11. Tell us more on this achievement. What
is the capital expenditure plan for fiscal year 2011-12, with
respect to substations?
A 66kV sub-transmission network is the backbone of Gujarat
transmission system and we deliver power to distribution
companies through 66/11kV substations located all over Gujarat.
This number has gone up to 1,190 by adding 140 substations in the
year 2010-11. Such large numbers of 66kV substations all over
Gujarat facilitate in 24x7 quality power supply and also minimize
the transmission losses. This has been achieved through an
advanced planning, timely material procurement and award of
civil contracts for the substation buildings.
What is GETCO's programme for development of transmission
lines for 2011-12? Tell us, in particular, about GETCO's plans for
400kV lines.
We have planned a capital expenditure of
2,446 crore for new
projects and R&M works for the year 2011-12 against last year's
achievement of
1,670 crore.
Development of transmission lines is an ongoing process
since it has to match with commercial operation of the new
generating units as well as urban and industrial demands
projected by distribution companies. It also takes care of
system strengthening of weak transmission links noted
during the real time operation. Our targets for 2011-12 are
higher than the achievement of 2010-11, mainly at the 400kV
level to evacuate bulk power from new power generation
capacity additions.
For 400kV class, GETCO has planned for 5,396 ckm of
transmission line in the next five years to transmit power
through nine 400kV substations.
Do you foresee GETCO developing 765 KV lines in Gujarat in the
near future?
A 765kV transmission system is capital-intensive infrastructure
and its deployment is justified when we have bulk power
transmission from a power generation source of 2,000-3000 mw
from a single source. We are yet to have such opportunity in the
Gujarat, but we expect to develop 765kV network in the time
frame of 2015-16, when CTU (Power Grid Corporation of India) is
expected to install inter-state transmission network up to Vadodara. In our capital expenditure plan submitted to GERC, the
765/400kV substation and network is planned in Kheda district.
We understand that setting up of power transmission
infrastructure encounters hindrances like right of way, forest
clearances, etc. What is your view, and what are your
recommendations to expedite project execution?
It is true that right-of-way, forest clearances and timely
possession of suitable land for substations are some of the
major hindrances and challenges, but we have to live with them
and resolve through a proactive approach and advance
planning. A suitable compensation package and just legal and
policy framework is necessary today to address this sensitive
issue to expedite project execution.
As far as forest clearance is concerned, it is more to do with
understanding the importance of transmission network in the
country. We cannot afford to delay the process and the Forest
Department has to be made accountable for this.
What have been the recent trends in transmission losses of
GETCO? How do you propose to reduce them further?
Over the last few years, GETCO has shown progressive
reduction in transmission losses, which is 3.85 per cent for the
year 2010-11. While GETCO is committed to achieve the target
of minimum transmission losses, it quite depends upon load
diversity, intensity of monsoon, location and performance of the
power plants.
We propose to further reduce our transmission losses by
strengthening the transmission network in the key areas having
extensive agriculture load and provide reactive power
compensation through capacitor banks at strategic locations.
Renovation and modernization of transmission lines by
replacing aged conductors and hardware will also help us in
containing transmission losses.
We understand that the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC)
plays a very critical role in assessing and meeting power
demand from the distribution utilities. Tell us about GETCO's
plans in improving the operating efficiency of the SLDC?
The role of State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) cannot be
undermined specifically planning the generation and demand
schedule in real time operation for reliable grid operation and
maintaining the frequency of the grid by bridging the gap
between supply and demand. GETCO has planned the following
key projects to improve operational efficiency of the SLDC:-
- Web-based scheduling for optimum scheduling and dispatch
of electricity within a state.
- Outage management system
- Load flow study by PNA (power network analysis) for better
planning of system elements outage and
tripping/disturbance analysis.
- Strengthening of energy accounting software for ABT, POC
regulation, RRF regulations etc.
- Software development for various commercial activities
- Web base application development for Open access
- WAM's /PMU application for real time monitoring
/operations
Several states have extended the Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) culture to intra-state power transmission projects. Does
Gujarat have any plans in this direction?
While several states have extended PPP in their intra-state
transmission projects, GETCO is yet to take a concrete step as we
are satisfied with our own investment model and revenue earned
out of it through a MYT order from the Hon'ble Commission. We do
have plans and proposal has been in the process at appropriate
level for capital investment of
620 crore.
It is around 12 years that transmission related activities
of erstwhile Gujarat Electricity Board have been entrusted
to GETCO. Please summarize the positive impact that
this "unbundling" has had on Gujarat's power
transmission scenario?
While GETCO was formed in 1999 under Companies Act 1956,
commercial operation commenced from 1st April, 2005 and was
notified as State Transmission Utility (STU) by the government
of Gujarat. GETCO's journey after the unbundling process from
2005 onwards has been quite challenging year after year to
fulfill the objectives of a separate entity as Transmission Utility
of State. With the support and confidence of stakeholders and
government, we have been focusing on fulfilling the
expectations of consumers. We have made uniform growth in all
functional areas in transmission business with an objective of
long term sustainability. Improvement in the 'System
Availability" has been achieved through effective operation and
maintenance techniques and by adopting the latest state-of-art
monitoring technologies. Transmission line network has been
enhanced to 41,695 ckm with 1,190 substations, handling
power capacity of 13,500 mw.
GETCO fully understands that capacity building in the area of
human resource is very vital both in technical and behavioral
competencies. We have, therefore, emphasized and imparted
trainings to our employees in key areas.
The erstwhile Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) has been
carrying in the burden of aged assets, which has severe impact
on the operational efficiency, safety and reliable operation of
the grid. An investment of
1,000 crore has been incurred on
R&M in the first four years of the XI Plan.
We are also working under regulated commercial mechanism
and revenue earned through transmission tariff is justified and
approved by a Hon'ble Commission.
We observe that GETCO in recent years has been adopting the
EPC/turnkey contracting route in developing transmission
infrastructure. What is your view?
GETCO has adopted the EPC and turnkey contracting route in the
development of transmission infrastructure mainly with a view
to keep resources, time and quantum of work in hand. The
requirement of transmission infrastructure is so huge given the
additions of new generation capacities that we have to estimate
our internal resources to carry out the supervision and
execution for timely delivery of the projects.
EPC/turnkey contracting route helps us in taking up many
transmission projects at a time with single source
responsibility, transferring the project risk and accordingly
deploy our resources optimally.
What is your general view on the competency of Indian
equipment suppliers and contractors in meeting India's huge
demand for power infrastructure? Do you have any specific
recommendations to contractors?
While there are enough capacities of equipment suppliers, there
is scarcity of erection contractors to meet India's huge demand
of power infrastructure. With regard to competency of Indian
equipment suppliers, it is price driven. The concept of awarding
supply contract to L-1, customer specification and quality control
measures compel suppliers to vary the quality of equipment and
therefore it is difficult to establish the competency.
With regard to erection contractors, they are hit by shortage
of competent and skilled manpower under uncertainty of labour
and material cost.
Our experience with suppliers and contractors has been very
mixed one and we are taking them along through a periodic
review mechanism and strictly working under the framework of
contract management.
Our specific recommendations to contractors have been to
take up a job after duly assessing their capability, financial
position, understanding the scope, cash flow management and
delivery of the contract in full shape.
Under the "Open Access" policy, some states are allowing
import of power from other states to meet any shortfall in
domestic generation. What is the situation in Gujarat?
While many states that have a shortfall in domestic
generation have been resorting to open access, it is not
always possible due to inadequate margins in the inter-state
transmission corridor.
While Gujarat has no shortfall in domestic generation, we
do not find inter-state network adequate to supply power to
other states.
Please summarize GETCO's future plans in general terms, and
describe some important milestones that you would like to see
GETCO attaining in the next few years?
GETCO's main objective to build a robust and reliable
transmission network shall remain a focus area with a target to
handle more than 34,000 mw power in the network by 2015-16.
This has also been approved with a capex of above
2,000 crore
every year from 2011-12 onwards.
Our transmission system operation through high availability
and low transmission losses will improve through condition
monitoring, SCADA operated substation, renovation &
modernization of aged assets and capacity building in the area
of human resource.
GETCO has a committed plan to build transmission network for
integration of renewable energy for a quantum of 4,500 mw by
2015-16. Development of Charanka Solar Park of 500 mw in a
single location will be the world's one of the largest solar projects.
GETCO understands that standalone development without
supporting society and environment in which we function, is not
worthy enough and accordingly CSR activities are also given a
prime importance in its letter and spirit and various educational
and community development activities have been done and
undergoing.