PowerGrid, Chinese firm to sign MoU

The PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) on Wednesday. The largest power utility in China, SGCC is responsible for power transmission, distribution and grid operation, with power network construction and operation as its core functions.

The MoU seeks to increase cooperation between two countries in the fields of transmission, power reforms and regulatory systems. China, with an estimated installed capacity of around 3,50,000 mw, has a 176,610-km long transmission line network comprising 500 KV, 330 KV and 220 KV transmission lines. In India, Powergrid owns and operates a 47,000 KM transmission network comprising various 132 KV, 220 KV, 400 KV and 765 KV lines. Sources said a possible cooperation could be development of 800 KV AC/HVDC transmission lines by PGCIL in China. Modernisation of load dispatch and communication facilities in China is another area being explored by PowerGrid.

When contacted, PowerGrid officials refused to comment.