PGCIL's Wanpoh Substation Upgrade Pushed Back to 2027

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) has received an 18-month extension from the Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) for the completion of its New Wanpoh substation augmentation project in Jammu & Kashmir.

The revised completion date is now 30 June 2027, extended from the original deadline of 31 December 2025. The project involves the augmentation of PGCIL’s 400/220kV New Wanpoh substation with a new 315 MVA interconnecting transformer (3×105 MVA), along with the installation of two transformer bays—one each at 400kV and 220kV levels.

Awarded under the Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM) on 22 March 2024, the project was initially scheduled for completion within 21 months at an estimated cost of ₹61 crore.

PGCIL attributed the delay to persistent challenges in awarding the substation extension contract. Despite issuing tenders in July 2024 and offering 17 bid submission extensions, no bids had been received by December 2024.

Commissioned in 2014, the New Wanpoh substation is a critical element of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), linking the Kashmir Valley to the National Grid. It also forms a key component of the Northern Region System Strengthening Scheme – XVI.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.