Raigarh–Pugalur ±800 kV HVDC
The world's first HVDC link with VSC and LCC converters in one scheme — moving 6 GW of central India power to the wind-rich south.
Footage · Hitachi · YouTube
6 GW
Capacity
Rated bipole transfer, Raigarh–Pugalur LCC link
±800 kV
Voltage
LCC bipole voltage class
approx. 1,830 km
Route length
Chhattisgarh to Tamil Nadu overhead line
±320 kV
VSC extension voltage
Pugalur–Thrissur multi-terminal link to Kerala
approx. 2 GW
VSC capacity
Additional flow via Thrissur VSC extension
4 states
States crossed
Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
approx. ₹6,000 cr
Project cost
Combined LCC and VSC converter plus line cost
2015-16
POWERGRID conceives Raigarh–Pugalur–Thrissur HVDC scheme to move central-India thermal power south and prepare an RE evacuation corridor.
2016-17
Converter station EPC contracts awarded; ABB (later Hitachi ABB Power Grids) selected to build hybrid LCC and VSC converter stations.
2019
First pole of the ±800 kV Raigarh–Pugalur LCC bipole energised, enabling partial approx. 3 GW transfer ahead of full completion.
2020
Second pole commissioned, taking the LCC bipole to its full rated approx. 6 GW capacity between Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.
2021
Pugalur–Thrissur ±320 kV VSC multi-terminal extension commissioned, forming the world's first hybrid LCC-VSC HVDC scheme.
2021 onward
Scheme operates as backbone link, evacuating southern wind power and importing central-India thermal power on the same corridor.
The Raigarh–Pugalur ±800 kV HVDC link is the first scheme worldwide to combine LCC and VSC converters in one corridor, moving 6 GW from Chhattisgarh's coal belt to Tamil Nadu's wind-rich south, with a VSC extension to Kerala. For developers, lenders and utilities it is a live case study in multi-technology system integration, phased commissioning to de-risk capital, multi-state right-of-way management, and how hybrid HVDC can unlock renewable evacuation corridors at gigawatt scale.
India's renewable corridors—Rajasthan, Gujarat, Ladakh, offshore wind zones—will increasingly need hybrid LCC-VSC or multi-terminal HVDC to move gigawatt-scale power across states with differing grid strength. Tenders should specify converter interoperability standards, phased commissioning milestones and RoW responsibility matrices; CERC/CEA grid codes and POWERGRID's TBCB framework offer a template for structuring bankable, phased HVDC tenders.
Engineering, procurement and finance lessons
01
Hybrid converter integration needs early system studies
Combining LCC and VSC technology in one corridor demands detailed insulation coordination, control-interaction and harmonic studies well before construction. Early joint system studies between converter OEMs and the transmission utility are essential to avoid commissioning delays on hybrid HVDC schemes.
02
Phased commissioning de-risks capital
Energising the first LCC pole ahead of the second, and commissioning the VSC extension separately, allowed partial revenue realisation and reduced stranded capital exposure. Staged commissioning milestones should be built into financing covenants for large multi-converter HVDC assets.
03
Multi-state RoW needs early, parallel engagement
An approx. 1,830 km corridor crossing four states requires simultaneous forest, revenue and local-body clearances well ahead of tower erection. Delays in even one state can hold up an otherwise ready converter station, so RoW tracking must be state-wise and centrally monitored.
04
VSC extension shows hybrid HVDC's RE value
Adding a VSC multi-terminal tap to carry power onward to Kerala shows how VSC's flexible power-flow reversal and black-start capability can be layered onto an LCC backbone to serve renewable-rich, weaker grid pockets without building a new bipole.
05
Regulated-utility model reassures long-term lenders
As a POWERGRID asset under a cost-plus/TBCB-linked tariff structure, the scheme carries predictable long-term revenue, a template Indian lenders reference when assessing large inter-state transmission assets against merchant-risk alternatives.
Sources · Central Electricity Authority (CEA) · POWERGRID Corporation of India · Hitachi ABB Power Grids · Economic Times · CIGRE technical publications
- Technical due diligence on hybrid LCC-VSC system design, interoperability studies and converter station specifications.
- Multi-state RoW and land acquisition strategy, sequencing clearances to protect construction schedules and lender covenants.
- Structuring phased-commissioning financing and TBCB-aligned tariff models for large inter-state transmission assets.