WCA September 2015

India Insight

Helping save space When transmission utility KPTCL planned a modern multi-voltage transmission line in Yelahanka capable of bearing both 220kV and 66kV lines through multi-circuit towers, the project would have necessitated ten hours of shutdown every day. The alternative to regular shutdown was to use even more expensive 66kV underground cables. Instead, KPTCL has chosen a Swedish technology called covered conductor. KPTCL has erected the first 66kV line in Yelahanka alongside the modern 220kV/66kV multi-circuit multi-voltage line carrying power from Hoody to the 220kV station in Yelahanka. Energy minister DK Shivakumar said in a statement that the government will use the technology wherever it has right of way issues. “This is the first such initiative in India, and we adopted this innovative technology because it would minimise our land requirement for transmission lines as well as save on land purchase costs,” he said. “Usually we need 18 metres of right of way to build a 66kV line, but the covered conductor would make the project possible in a corridor of 7 to 9 metres width. In fact, in Yelahanka’s case, the central power research institute (CPRI) has said seven metres could be sufficient,” said S Sumanth, KPTCL director (transmission), overseeing the project. “Once the multi-circuit, multi-voltage line is ready, the industrial, commercial, educational and residential suburbs around Yelahanka will not have any power supply disruptions,” he added. KPTCL – India Website : www.kptcl.com New steel venture ArcelorMittal is to enter into a joint venture with the Steel Authority of India Ltd to establish an automotive steel manufacturing plant in India. In the meantime, the company is to idle its wire rod mill in Georgetown, South Carolina, and reassess its other USA holdings, especially finishing facilities, to offset record imports, increased competition and high legacy costs. The Georgetown closure will result in the loss of 226 jobs. ArcelorMittal recently reported a $103 million first quarter operating loss for its North American division, with its USA holdings showing a loss of almost $1.5 billion over the last five years. The Indian joint venture will involve building a cold rolling mill and other downstream finishing facilities that will offer technologically advanced steel products to India’s rapidly growing automotive sector. India is anticipated to become the world’s fourth largest automobile manufacturing nation by 2020. In response to the level of demand, and supported by the Indian government’s “Make In India” programme, designed

to transform India into a global manufacturing hub, ArcelorMittal said automotive manufacturers are establishing an increased presence in the country. ArcelorMittal – India Website : www.arcelormittal.com Steel Authority of India Ltd – India Website : www.sail.co.in New panel plant India’s Sterlite Technologies is to establish an LCD panel manufacturing plant in the country, with the potential to create 50,000 jobs. The company is also working on a project to connect defence establishments in Jammu and Kashmir through optical fibres. Anil Agarwal, the head of mining giant Vedanta Resources Plc, said at the inauguration of Digital India week: “Sterlite Technologies will play a responsible role in being a part of Digital India. We are already working on a project in [Jammu and Kashmir] to connect the defence establishment through optical fibres.” He said the LCD panel facility would help to reduce the imports of electronic goods into the country. However, he did not specify the timeline of investment or for establishing the plant. Sterlite Technologies – India Website : www.sterlitetechnologies.com Dual-purpose poles The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a plan to use existing electric poles, stretching over a distance of 23,000km, to carry broadband connectivity to thousands of towns and settlements. All the electric poles will be geo-tagged (providing geographical identification information) to help officials in connecting the poles with fibre cable. The state anticipates cost savings by utilising the network of electric distribution lines. Andhra Pradesh is also planning to establish the AP Fibre Corporation. The state government has approved the fibre grid project, promising delivery of between 10MB and 15MB to households, and speeds of 100MB for businesses. The AP fibre grid project will be responsible for laying the fibre cable along the poles. Areas covered by eastern and southern power distribution companies will be the first to be operational. In a similar cost-saving move, neighbouring state Telangana is to utilise the water grid’s water-laying trenches for its own optic fibre network. Andhra Pradesh Government – India Website : www.aponline.gov.in

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2015