Sterlite Grid today said it has tied up with US-based Burns & McDonnell for implementing transmission projects and will initially work on strengthening the link between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
"Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Ltd (Sterlite Grid) and the global leader in Transmission and Distribution Engineering, Burns & McDonnell International, Inc have signed an agreement to apply world class engineering and construction methodologies on transmission projects in India," the company said in a statement.
Both the companies will initially work on northern region system's 'Northern Region Strengthening Scheme' project (NRSS 29) which will carry 2,000 MW power to energy starved region of the Kashmir valley from the power-surplus Punjab, it said.
Sterlite Grid will invest close to Rs 3,000 crore towards this critical asset comprising of 900 circuit kilometres (Ckm) of transmission lines and 400 kilovolt (kV) gas insulated substation (GIS) at Amargarh.
Responding to the urgency expressed by the centre and state government, Sterlite Grid has committed to implement this 50 months project in less than 40 months.
"We would like to eliminate transmission line delays by delivering these projects in half the benchmark time. Our partnership with Burns & McDonnell will help us achieve this goal by bringing cutting edge technologies to India," Sterlite Grid Chairman Pratik Agarwal said.
Due to extreme climatic conditions in Jammu & Kashmir, there will be a limited window for construction.
The two companies will implement innovative designs and mechanised construction, which may include Heli-crane construction, micro-pile foundations, and special tower designs that would enable the project to be commissioned faster.
"Our engineers and construction specialists are committed to exploring methods to reduce the time needed to construct this important transmission line which will strengthen the electric grid and bring much needed power to Jammu & Kashmir," Senior Vice President, Burns & McDonnell's transmission and distribution division, Jim Hogan said.
