Project Management

a. What are the major steps to be taken before the actual tendering process (i.e. Process for invitation for bids) can be initiated? Include approvals have to be taken from various agencies outside the Transco. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 7. 1. Transmission System Planning Feasibility Report Preparation Approval from Board of Directors/Government Gazette Notification Signing of Bulk Power Tariff Agreement. Funding Tie up. In Principle Approval from Ministry of Environment & Forest. Design, Engineering & Specification finalization Transmission System Planning & System Engineering Purpose:
Transmission Planning Studies are carried out for evacuation of power from a Power Station, which is either newly constructed or where a new generation capacity is added, for grid strengthening, for intra-regional exchange of Power, for inter regional connection for exchange of power. These studies are carried out keeping in view the long-term power plans of the country framed by CEA. Load flow, short-circuit; stability and Over voltage studies are the ones need for this purpose. Practices: From the Point of view of power system planning and system engineering following are needed: i. The data and time schedules for carrying out Planning Studies are to be collected from various Organizations, such as CEA, Planning Commission, Respective Electricity Boards (SEB)/Electricity Departments (ED), Regional Electricity Boards (REB), Regional Load Dispatch Centers (RLDC), Power Utility s own system and operational data etc. These are corresponding to different time frames including present scenario and comprises of Generation Details, Load (both Active and Reactive), Details of Transmission Network at different voltage levels, Transformer Capacity, Details of Reactive Compensation

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ii. iii. iv.

Long term transmission plans are evolved considering the long term power transfer requirement from generation resources to Load Centers. Data are to be complied in a format suitable for simulation software. Different Transmission alternatives are to be evolved. While developing an alternative following issues are to be considered: Minimization of Transmission Cost and Loss Right- of - way (ROW) Considerations Optimal utilization of energy resources Adoption of new technologies like, FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission System) at suitable locations. Most optimal system is to be evolved by carrying out computer studies based on the input available from above. System Engineering studies are carried out to decide various equipment rating and parameters, charging instructions.

v.

The outputs of these studies are forwarded to various groups for carrying out system design. While choosing any transmission alternative, flexibility of development and provision of adequate control features should be kept in view to take care of grid operation under normal and contingent conditions. Power System Planning Criteria issued by CEA is referred to in this context for further details.

2.

Feasibility Report Preparation Once a transmission system is finalized, Project Feasibility Report is prepared for the investment approval from the competent authority. The Feasibility Report consists of details of transmission system, justification, scope of the project, technical parameters, estimated cost of the project, details pertaining to project management, environmental impact, project completion schedule, tariff, etc. Based on the studies the system that emerged and the various cost data, feasibility report of the project is prepared and submitted to the approving authority. The feasibility report is a base document used in execution of the project.

3.

Design, Engineering & Specification finalization The feasibility report, output from system studies, recommendations of various standardization committees of CEA, CBIP, relevant statutory regulations,
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operational feedback and past experience become the inputs for detailed Design, Engineering & Specification finalization.

Routing of Transmission Line The transmission line route shall be selected keeping in view the following: (1) Routing of a transmission line through protected or reserved forest shall be avoided. In case it is not possible to completely avoid the forests or areas having large trees, keeping in view the overall economy, the route shall be aligned in such a way that cutting of trees is minimum. Routing of a transmission line through National Parks or Wild Life sanctuaries shall also be avoided to the extent possible. (2) Restricted areas such as civil and military airfields shall be avoided. Care shall also be taken to avoid aircraft landing approaches. (3) The line routing should avoid large habitations, and densely populated areas to the extent possible. (4) It shall be ensured that all statutory requirements stipulated under Forest Conservation Act, Wild Life Protection Act, Archeological Survey Act and other Acts/Rules/Laws, as may be applicable, are complied with. (5) The Owner shall arrange all required consents and approvals including those from Power and Telecommunication Co-ordination Committee (PTCC), and for civil aviation, road, river, rail, canal or power line crossings, way leaves and environmental & forest clearances etc. from the concerned authorities/agencies.

b. Roughly estimate the time for each of the above activities. How much time do you think it will take for the contract to be awarded, from preparation of the PCR to the signing of the agreement?
(Bar Chart Attached)

2. Who are the stakeholders involved? Perform a complete stakeholder analysis. (How will you analyze their interest in the project and their power to influence the project?
The following are the various stakeholders in the project i. Customers ii. Top Management iii. Investors/Bankers iv. Landowners of the affected Transmission Line Corridor v. Contractors
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vi. Vendors vii. Government Agencies a. CEA b. Regulators CERC, SERC c. Environmental & Forest Ministry d. Local Village Panchayat & other village bodies. viii. Power & Telecom Co-Ordination Committee, Railway, Power, River, Canal, National Highway Authorities

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S.No. 1 2 3

Name Of Stakeholder Customers Top Management Funding agencies

Likely Concern Minimum tariff & efficient system with minimum down time. Timely completion of the Project minimum cost & time over run & quality

4 5 6

Timely utilization of funds, execution as per schedule without any contractual problem & timely repayment. Landowners of the affected Transmission Maximum compensation, minimum Line Corridor damage to their land, Property Contractors/Vendors Timely inspection & delivery, minimum inventory & Faster payment Government Agencies a. CEA b. Regulators CERC, SERC c. Environmental & Forest Ministry Technically Correct proposal, Best Practices Due regard to the customers' interest, avoid time & cost overrun. Minimum loss of forest area & adequate compensatory forestation Minimum disruption of livelihood, Law & Order problems etc. Due protection of existing systems & safe clearance & necessary diversion, corrections if required with minimum disruptions.

d. Local Village Panchayat & other village bodies. 6 Power & Telecom Co-Ordination Committee, Railway, Power, River, Canal, National Highway Authorities, Aviation Authorities.

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Top Management Railways, Power & Telecom Co ordination Committee, Aviation, National Highway, River/Navigation Authorities

Land Owners Customers Local Panchayat Forest Authorities

P O W E R

Contractors, Vendors

CEA Regulators Funding Agencies

INTEREST

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Can there be any resistance / opposition to the project? How will you manage that? Suggest innovative ways to reduce damage/compensation cost
1. Affected Landowners - The major resistance to projects comes from the landowners on whose land the towers are installed as well as the land over which the transmission line passes through. To take care of these issue, first & foremost the mandatory gazette notifications as well as publications in local newspapers etc are to be done informing all the affected parties & seeking objections if any, before the project is sanctioned. Though the legal mandate is obtained, still there would be obstructions due to quite a number of people not being aware of it. They may either not allow the work or may seek more compensation that the government rates. Under such circumstances efforts are made through various channels like convincing them of the larger interest of the project to the society at large, arranging meetings with local elected bodies, Panchayat, administrations etc. Efforts are also made to provide some enhanced compensations by special approvals matching the prevalent market rates. Possibility of providing some local sub contracting, small petty work contracts, local labor works are also explored to provide some revenue generation opportunities to mitigate the loss to some extent. In addition some social welfare schemes are also undertaken in the villages to engage them & embrace in the prosperity gained through the project. 2. Government agencies (Forest Department, Road, Railways) Generally once inprinciple approval is obtained, the project is started. However still lots of resistances are offered by Forest Department officials, other agencies like road authorities (PWD), Railway departments seeking completion of approval process before process. Even preliminary activities like survey, foundation works are obstructed. In such cases help of senior officials from these departments are sought to ensure smooth work flow till final approvals are in place. Depositing the estimated compensation amount in advance could be attempted as a means to establish commitment to fully comply with the requirement of these agencies.

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For reducing the losses/damages better site survey is conducted. Efforts are made to place towers on barren land than fertile agricultural land, thought there would some cost increase due to increased route. Nowadays with Right-Of-Way becoming a major problem, efforts are made to explore innovative ways to mitigate & reduce losses. Narrow based towers, Multi circuit towers, Tall extra high towers are some changes which have reduce the land requirement, Right-Of-Way optimization, reduce tree cuttings, lopping of branches instead of complete cutting of trees etc.,