Adani’s Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line bolsters Mumbai’s power grid by 1GW
Adani Energy Solutions Limited, formerly known as Adani Transmission Limited, has successfully commissioned the Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line (KVTL), a crucial energy infrastructure project that significantly enhances Mumbai’s power transmission capabilities. This project, spanning approximately 74 circuit kilometers and featuring a state-of-the-art 400kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) at Vikhroli, addresses the city’s growing electricity demand and improves its grid’s reliability and stability.
The commissioning of the Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line comes as a strategic response to the grid failures experienced by Mumbai in recent years, notably on February 27, 2022, and October 12, 2020, which left several areas without power. By bringing an additional 1,000 MW of reliable power to Mumbai, the Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line serves as a safeguard against future grid disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to residents and businesses.
One of the key advantages of this project is the establishment of a 400 KV grid within Mumbai’s municipal geography. This enhanced import capability within the city’s electricity grid has far-reaching benefits. It not only fortifies the grid’s reliability but also contributes to the sustainability of transportation systems, including bullet trains, Metro Rail, and city railways. Moreover, it provides added support to commercial and residential establishments, fostering growth and development.
KVTL’s innovative design features a compact 400kV GIS substation at Vikhroli, covering approximately 9,500 square meters and minimizing space requirements by vertically stacking 400kV and 220kV GIS components. Adani Energy Solutions Limited overcame various challenges during the project’s execution, including navigating difficult terrains and addressing height restrictions in urban areas. For instance, the construction of towers in creeks involved the use of heavy rigs on floating barges, while special horizontal configuration towers were adopted in areas with height restrictions.
The KVTL project begins in the Kharghar area of Navi Mumbai, traverses urban locations, and culminates at Vikhroli in Mumbai city. It encompasses critical elements such as a 400 kV/220 kV GIS Vikhroli substation with a 1,500 MVA transformation capacity, an Air Insulated System switchyard at Kharghar, a 400 kV double/multi circuit Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line, and a 400 kV loop in loop out (LILO) connection on the Talegaon-Kalwa line at Vikhroli, along with a 220 kV LILO on the Trombay-Salsette line at Vikhroli.
Adani Energy Solutions Limited’s successful commissioning of the Kharghar-Vikhroli transmission line marks a significant milestone in strengthening Mumbai’s power infrastructure, ensuring a reliable and robust electricity supply for the city’s present and future needs.