Madhya Pradesh state-owned transmission player MP Power Transmission Company Limited (MPPTCL) has been undertaking various initiatives for expanding, upgrading and modernising the state’s transmission networks over the years. Notably, during 2022-23, MPPTCL achieved a transmission system availability of 99.45 per cent and restricted transmission losses for 2022-23 to 2.63 per cent. It also added 719.49 ckt. km of extra high voltage (EHV) transmission lines during 2022-23 and over 3,071 MVA of transformation capacity. The state’s transmission network handled a maximum of 17,170 MW in demand. From adding GIS substations to its network, using drones for patrolling EHV transmission lines, establishing fibre optical ground wire (OPGW) networks to facilitate communications to remote charging of transmission elements through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), MPPTCL has been adopting several new technologies to evacuate power and enhance the overall efficiency of the transmission system. Notably, the state transco also completed Phase I of the green energy corridor works during 2022-23.
MPPTCL’s network growth and operational performance
Over the five-year span from 2018-19 to 2022-23, the company’s transmission line length has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.69 per cent. Its network at the 400 kV level has expanded from 3,521 ckt. km in 2018-19 to 4,089.20 ckt. km in 2022-23. The 220 kV transmission lines grew from 12,929 ckt. km to 14,934 ckt. km during the same period. The 132 kV transmission lines network has exhibited the highest CAGR at about 3.58 per cent, increasing from 18,914.5 ckt. km in 2018-19 to 22,541.3 ckt. km in 2022-23.
Over the same period, the growth in the number of substations has exhibited a CAGR of 3.08 per cent. The 400 kV substations have increased from 11 in 2018-19 to 14 in 2022-23. The company’s 220 kV substations expanded from 78 in 2018-19 to 88 in 2022-23. The 132 kV substations have increased from 277 in 2018-19 to 312 in 2022-23.
The transmission capacity of MPPTCL grew at a CAGR of approximately 11 per cent in this period. At the 400 kV level, the transformation capacity grew from 8,495 MVA in 2018-19 to 11,200 MVA in 2022-23. Likewise, the 220 kV capacity demonstrated robust and consistent expansion, increasing from 23,990 MVA in 2018-19 to 31,715 MVA in 2022-23. At the 132 kV level, the capacity grew from 28,246 MVA in 2018-19 to 33,855 MVA in 2022-23.
At the 400 kV level, the number of transformers increased from 33 in 2018-19 to 39 in 2022-23. At the 220 kV level, the number of transformers increased from 179 in 2018-19 to 214 in 2022-23. The 132 kV transformers experienced an increase from 675 in 2018-19 to 755 in 2022-23.
During 2022-23, six new 132 kV substations and two 220 kV switching substations have been added to the system. The total number of substations stood at 414 as of March 31, 2023. In August 2022, MPPTCL also commissioned the state’s first GIS substation in Indore.
In 2018-19, the transmission availability was 99.59 per cent, which increased slightly to 99.64 per cent in 2019-20. However, in 2020-21, there was a marginal decline to 99.6 per cent. The following fiscal year, 2021-22, saw a decrease to 99.29 per cent. Nevertheless, the company rebounded in 2022-23, achieving a transmission availability of 99.45 per cent.
The company’s transmission losses as a percentage of the total power exhibited a relatively stable trend. In 2018-19, the losses were recorded at 2.71 per cent, which decreased slightly to 2.59 per cent in the subsequent year, 2019-20. The trend continued, with a marginal increase to 2.62 per cent in 2020-21, followed by a steady performance, maintaining a 2.63 per cent transmission loss in both 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Key initiatives
In a key milestone, the Green Energy Corridor Phase I scheme was commissioned in June 2022 by MPPTCL. Under
this scheme, three 400 kV substations in Sagar, Ujjain and Mandsaur, seven 200 kV substations in Sendhwa, Kanwan, Jaora, Sailana, Gurugram, Ratangarh and Nalkheda, and 2,771 ckt. km of transmission lines were constructed to evacuate about 5,847 MW of energy.
To enhance the reliability and efficiency within its transmission system, MPPTCL is strategically replacing ageing transformers with newer, more efficient transformers. This replacement process, executed in phases, targets transformers with a lifespan exceeding 25 years. During 2022-23, several such transformers were replaced, including a 315 MVA 400/220 kV transformer with a 500 MVA model, a 160 MVA 220/132 kV transformer with a 200 MVA transformer, and the substitution of eight 132/33 kV transformers with capacities of 12.5/16/20 MVA with new 40/50/ 63 MVA transformers.
MPPTCL has also adopted new technologies for its operations such as the remote operation of EHV substations. During 2022-23, 17 elements (transformers and feeders) were charged remotely through SCADA.
MPPTCL has also undertaken the construction of AIS/GIS hybrid substations, use of RTV silicone coating, RIP Bushings, installation of bird flappers at EHV lines and use of high temperature low sag conductors in its network.
Patrolling of EHV transmission lines and identification of weak links in the lines using drones is also being carried out. Further, it is using advanced equipment such as offline fault locator-cum-signature analysers and puncture insulator detectors to save considerable time in locating the fault of EHV lines and undertaking remedial actions.
To facilitate internal communication and uses, MPPTCL has installed about 4,000 km of 24 fibre OPGW network. Further, the company is also establishing a network of 24 OPGW having a length of about 11,000 km under the Power System Development Fund for internal communication systems. The entire OPGW network is expected to be ready in 2023-24.
MPPTCL has also introduced the use of a standard measurement book (SMB) for civil works. The SMB streamlines the recording and processing of bills and payments, expediting the proposal process and facilitating the swift preparation of estimates and BoQ. The company has also implemented the “i-BEST” project, or “Integrated Business Enterprise Solution for Transco”. This enterprise resource planning system has significantly improved workflow, data quality and productivity by standardising and integrating work processes.
Financial performance
MPPTCL’s total income increased from Rs 50.11 billion in 2020-21 to Rs 52.99 billion in 2021-22, a growth of approximately 5.75 per cent. However, in 2021-22, the company incurred a net loss of Rs 4.04 billion due to actuarial valuation net impact of Rs 14.76 billion in the profit and loss account.
The company’s total expenditure grew from Rs 49.99 billion in 2020-21 to Rs 57.03 billion in 2021-22. Its capital expenditure decreased from Rs 12.23 billion in 2020-21 to Rs 10.71 billion in 2021-22.
Future plans
To meet the load growth over the next few years, the company has estimated a capex of Rs 13.61 billion in 2023-24. In the following years, the projected capex is Rs 8.35 billion in 2024-25, Rs 12.47 billion in 2025-26, Rs 6.05 billion in 2026-27 and Rs 3.15 billion in 2027-28.
Over 2023-24 to 2027-28, the projected addition of transmission line lengths for the 400 kV voltage levels is 200 ckt. km, for the 220 kV voltage level it is 983.5 ckt. km, and for 132 kV it is 3,656.6 ckt. km. The projected transformation capacity addition by MPPTCL is expected at 3,146 MVA in 2023-24, 2,619 MVA in 2024-25 and 1,733 MVA in 2025-26. Voltage-wise, the company is expected to add 2,600 MVA at the 400 kV voltage level, 3,635 MVA at 220 kV voltage level and 4,223 MVA over 2023-24 to 2027-28.
Net net, MPPTCL has demonstrated an impressive transmission infrastructure and capacity growth over the past few years. The CAGR of the transmission line length, number of substations and transmission capacity has exhibited positive trends, reflecting the company’s commitment to expanding and enhancing its transmission network. Overall, MPPTCL’s performance and future plans indicate a proactive approach to meeting the evolving energy needs of the Madhya Pradesh state and maintaining a reliable and efficient power transmission system.
