PTChronicle - October 2012 - PTC India Limited

Weak crossborder
links
and infra
have been
preventing the
exchange of
power between
the regional
Nations
2032. The Integrated Energy Policy has envisaged
import of hydropowers from Bhutan and Nepal.
Some of the key opportunities available with India
for trade of energy are listed below:-
(i) India and Bhutan
Bhutan’s unexploited hydropower potential
exceeds 30,000 MW, with easily accessible sites
estimated at 10,000 MW with 60% load factor.
The evolution of the power trading market in India
has encouraged investments in Bhutan, allowing
India’s demand pattern to be matched by Bhutan’s
supply pattern. Both the nations are committed
to cooperate in the field of hydroelectric power
through public and private sector participation
and promoting regional energy trade. India is
expecting to import 10000 MW surplus power
from Bhutan by the year 2020.
(ii) Hydropower exports from Nepal
Also, Nepal’s unexploited hydropotential exceeds
43,000 MW and government is continuing to invite
RFPs for investing in Hydro Power Projects. Again,
the investors are drawing confidence in these
projects on account of an effective power trading
market available in India. Recently, PTC India
too has signed an Memorandum of Agreement
with GMR Group for a 600 MW Marsyangdi HE
Project and a similar agreement with Brass Power
International Engineering for purchase of 248 MW
from Lower Arjun project for 25 years. India is also
planning to supply coal based 150 MW power
to Nepal for next 25 years to meet their interim
requirement till Nepal is in a position to generate
surplus capacity for export.
(iii) India and Bangladesh
The Government of Bangladesh has recently
agreed to purchase 500 MW of electricity from
India by 2013. They are also contemplating to
import another 500 MW through north-west route
by 2018. Apart from these, Bangladesh is also
eyeing the North-Eastern states of India for some
potential capacity of 2000 MW in near future. In
January 2012, Bangladesh Power Development
Board and NTPC signed an agreement to set up
a Joint Venture for the establishment of a 1320
MW coal based power plant in Bagerhat district,
Khulna at an estimated cost of $ 1.5 Billion and is
expected to be commissioned by 2016.
However, though Bangladesh has undertaken an
ambitious plan to augment the energy starved
nation through import of an approximate 4500 MW
of electricity by 2030, this can be only possible
with construction of an interconnected regional
power grid. Such integrated grid spanning the
large region is extensive in proposition, but is a
necessary solution for providing energy security
to the entire region.
Bangladesh has current generation capacity of
7000 MW and has deficit of 1200 MW in peak
hours. HVDC (high-voltage-direct-current) power
link with 500 MW capacity is being setup between
Bheramara in Bangladesh to Baharampur in India,
which is expected to be commissioned by 2014.
(iv) India and Sri Lanka
Indian Government has signed a MoU with
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) of Sri Lanka for
establishment of HVDC bi-pole interconnection
between the countries. The line would have an
initial transfer capability of 500 MW and later
another 500 MW would be added. Power trading
between the two countries is likely to start from
2015-16 after the completion of the line between
Madurai and New Anuradhapura substation of
385 km in length including a 50 km submarine
cable.
(v) India and Pakistan
Faced with a serious power crisis, Pakistan is
keen to draw power from India. A proposal aimed
at setting up transmission infrastructure on a
joint-ownership basis to facilitate the wheeling
of around 500 MW of electricity via Amritsar is
being considered by the two sides. HDVC power
link, as being proposed for Bangladesh, is being
considered for enhancing the gird interconnection
at the borders. At present, no transmission link
exists between India and Pakistan.
(vi) India and Myanmar
Myanmar has unexploited hydro potential of about
39,000 MW and is developing about 10,400 MW
of new capacity through joint ventures with Thai
and Chinese developers and utilities mainly for
export of power to Thailand and China. Indian and
Myanmar governments are collaborating in the
design and formulation of Tamanti multipurpose
project located near the Indian border, initially with
14 | PTCHRONICLE | OCTOBER 2012