Siemens to upgrade India’s oldest HVDC link

Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID), the Central Transmission Utility of India, has chosen Siemens to modernize the country’s first and oldest high voltage direct current (HVDC) link, Vindhyachal. Located in Madhya Pradesh, the 500-megawatt HVDC back-to-back system was put into operation in 1989 to interconnect the asynchronous 400-kilovolt alternating current networks of the Northern and Western regions. By installing its latest HVDC components Siemens will extend the useful life of the system.

This will be the first Siemens HVDC modernization project in India. The key components for the upgrade will be delivered from the Indian facility in Goa.

“We are proud that POWERGRID trusts in Siemens engineering excellence to breathe new life in the first HVDC system in India,” said Mirko Düsel, Head of Transmission Solutions at Siemens Gas and Power. “We look forward to extending the lifespan of the station and enhancing the installation’s efficiency by implementing our state-of-the-art technology.”​

“The modernization of the Vindhyachal HVDC link is further testimony of Siemens’ product quality and engineering prowess. The efficient, safe and reliable transmission of power will help meet the growing demand for power to the northern and western region, contributing to higher industrial productivity and quality of life,” said Sunil Mathur, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Limited.

With a HVDC back-to-back system, two independent neighboring transmission networks with incompatible electrical frequencies are connected. Additionally, it prevents the power increase in the short circuit levels of the network. An HVDC back-to-back system can also be used for controlled power transfer between two separated AC-transmission systems.

For further information on HVDC, please see http://www.siemens.com/hvdc