A joint venture between Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Hitachi Energy India Ltd has secured a major contract from Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) to develop the Rajasthan HVDC transmission project. The companies announced the deal in separate filings on February 9, 2025. The consortium received a letter of intent from Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AESL, to design and implement an HVDC link and associated AC substations.
The project aims to transmit renewable energy from Bhadla III in Rajasthan to Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. While the formal contract is still being finalized, the project is expected to be completed by 2030. The contract value has not been disclosed.
The project will include two HVDC LCC terminals, each with a capacity of ±800kV, 6,000 MW, located at Bhadla III and Fatehpur. It will also involve the construction of an HVDC transmission line and related AC substations.
This marks the first HVDC project awarded to a private sector entity under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework. AESL acquired Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd through the TBCB route.
This is not the first major project for the BHEL-Hitachi Energy India consortium. In November 2024, the group won a similar contract from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) for the Khavda V-A Power Transmission Ltd project. That project involves building a ±800kV, 6,000 MW bi-pole, bi-directional HVDC link over 1,200 kilometers, connecting Khavda Pooling Station-2 in Gujarat to Nagpur in Maharashtra.
Both the Rajasthan and Khavda projects will use LCC (line commutable converter) technology. This technology was previously used in PGCIL’s ±800kV Raigarh-Pugalur HVDC link, which stretches from Chhattisgarh to Tamil Nadu. The Raigarh-Pugalur link was also developed by the BHEL-Hitachi Energy India consortium. However, the section from Pugalur to Thrissur uses a ±320kV HVDC system based on VSC (voltage source converter) technology, designed and commissioned by Siemens Energy and Sumitomo.
About the Companies
Hitachi Energy India specializes in sustainable energy solutions, including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, digital grids, and renewable energy integration. The company is committed to supporting India’s renewable energy goals through innovative and efficient power systems.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), established in 1964, is a leading state-owned engineering and manufacturing company in India. It focuses on power generation, transmission, and industrial equipment, with expertise in thermal, hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy sectors.
The collaboration between BHEL and Hitachi Energy India highlights their shared commitment to advancing India’s energy infrastructure and supporting the country’s transition to sustainable energy.
