Hitachi Energy India said, on Thursday, that it has received a bulk order from Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) to supply 30 units of 765-kilovolt (kV) 500 megavolt-ampere (MVA) single-phase transformers.
India needs a sustainable, flexible and secure grid to advance its energy transition ambitions, accommodating the greater addition of renewable generation sources and the electrification of industries and transportation.
This also substantially increased the demand for power transformers in India at 15 percent per year for the last two years. To seamlessly cater to the increasing demand for grid infrastructure in India and globally , utilities are swiftly shifting their planning horizons from near-term project-based to longer-term program-based.
“From a technology provider perspective, this shift helps us plan capacity investments, reserve supply chains, and ensure timely delivery,” said N Venu, Managing Director & CEO of Hitachi Energy India.
The UHV AC 765 kV transformer enhances the grid’s security, reliability, and efficiency, helping to meet increasing energy demands. Once installed, these transformers can transmit the power equivalent to the average power consumption of 30 million households in India.
Higher voltage transmission, such as 765 kV, enables efficient bulk transfer of power over long distances, significantly reducing losses and lowering operating costs, making electricity more affordable for consumers. 765 kV transformers reduce transmission lines and cut land use and construction costs while enhancing grid security with high capacity.
Delivery timelines are aligned with customers’ transmission network building plans. The required transformers will be manufactured at Hitachi Energy India’s power transformer factory in Maneja, Vadodara, Gujarat, demonstrating its continued commitment to produce locally.
Global entity, Hitachi Energy, recently successfully tested a 765-kV / 400-kV single-phase, 250 MVA natural ester-filled oil transformer. This breakthrough innovation makes this transformer the first in the world at this voltage and power level, with the implementation of ester oil providing a biodegradable and safety-by-design option for operators of ultra-high-voltage alternating current (AC) grids.