The first ultra mega power project (UMPP) of the country at Mundra in Gujarat is waiting for the
evacuation of power as the central transmission utility PowerGrid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has commissioned the transmission system for it. Tata Power's 4,000 MW Mundra ultra mega power project in Gujarat is yet to start production,

PowerGrid Corporation has connected the Mundra project to the national grid and the first 800 MW unit of the 5x800 MW plant is likely to commence electricity supply within the next four months.

Asked about the commissioning date, a PowerGrid official said, "We have completed the transmission network on time. Now it’s up to Tata Power to commence it."

The line is ready to evacuate power from two units of Mundra UMPP (2X800 MW) in normal condition and more than 1,200 MW in the contingency.

The system commissioned consists of high capacity Mundra-Bachau-Ranchodpura 400 kv double circuit line along with 630 MVA Bachau 400/220 kv sub-station.

Also, due to an unprecedented rise in the global coal prices and high cost of credit in domestic market the future of Mundra project is facing difficulties.

“Mundra transmission network has been completed on time despite challenging conditions with lines passing through creek area, severe right of way problems, and excessive water logging due to unprecedented rains,” says a PowerGrid official. The PowerGrid official also says that the final approval to lay transmission lines over a wild life sanctuary was given to them very late (August 3).

"About 770 circuit kilometre transmission line has been commissioned in challenging conditions like passing through tough terrains in creek area of Arabian sea... Excessive water logging due to heavy rains, etc," said an official.

PowerGrid on its part has commissioned the first phase of the transmission system for evacuation of power from country’s first ultra mega power project at Mundra in Gujarat and going ahead to complete work on other two transmission lines connected with the UMPP by December.

“We have commissioned about 770ckm of transmission lines which will be dedicated for the UMPP and help it evacuate power from two 800 mw units. Remaining transmission lines will also be completed in time providing lines that could carry up to 5000 mw of power," said DS Singh, Power Grid Executive Director (Western Region II).

PGCIL has plans to invest over Rs 20,000 crore in developing transmission networks for all the UMPPs. “We are all set to deliver on time. As an agency mandated to lay transmission line we believe in serving on time.”

So far the government has awarded four UMPPs at Mundra, Sasan, Krishnapatnam and Tilaiya. The government has mandated PowerGrid to set up transmission network for evacuation of power from all UMPPs. Out of Rs 20,000 crore of proposed investment, Rs 8,000-9,000 crore would be spent in 11th five-year plan and the remaining amount in the 12th plan when most of the UMPPs would be commissioned.