The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has formed a three-member committee headed by former chairman of PowerGrid Corporation RP Singh to monitor the implementation of Kudus-Aarey High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission project and 400 kV Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission project. The committee’s tenure will be for 18 months. These two projects are important to avoid load shedding in Mumbai as power evacuation from other parts of the country in the city will be possible. These projects, which are being implemented by Adani Electricity Mumbai Infrastructure Ltd (AEMIL), got a boost after the Mumbai power breakdown in October last year.
The committee comprises MERC Director Prafulla Varhade and the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Director (Operations) who will also be the Convener of the Committee. Representatives of AEMIL and Kharghar Vikhroli Transmission Pvt Ltd (KVTPL) (Senior Level Officer) will be the special invitees for HVDC and 400 kV Vikhroli Project respectively as and when required by the Committee.
MERC in its order said, “The Commission hereby constitutes a “Monitoring Committee” comprising following members for monitoring of identified projects such as 400 kV Kharghar-Vikhroli project, Kudus-Aarey HVDC project and associated transmission schemes within and around Mumbai Metropolitan Region which are critical for strengthening of Mumbai transmission network.“
The committee will prepare and map separate timelines (Quarterly completion targets) for each activity/sub-task for identified schemes and action points (HVDC Project, Vikhroli Project and the remedial measures) considering the completion timelines. It will scrutinize, review the detailed project execution plan for HVDC project and Vikhroli Project and highlight specific milestones and activities on critical paths.
Further, the committee will monitor and report (delay, if any) for issues related to obtaining necessary clearances and approvals, Right of Way issues, equipment ordering and installation, outages, internal approvals, review of islanding/protections/grid operation automated technologies, reactive power management, SCADA upgradation and possible slippages if any, which might adversely impact the planned schedule.