WCA September 2015

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2015
India Insight
Helping save space
When transmission utility KPTCL planned a modern
multi-voltage transmission line in Yelahanka capable of
bearing both 220kV and 66kV lines through multi-circuit
towers, the project would have necessitated ten hours of
shutdown every day. The alternative to regular shutdown
was to use even more expensive 66kV underground cables.
Instead, KPTCL has chosen a Swedish technology called
covered conductor. KPTCL has erected the first 66kV line in
Yelahanka alongside the modern 220kV/66kV multi-circuit
multi-voltage line carrying power from Hoody to the 220kV
station in Yelahanka.
Energy minister DK Shivakumar said in a statement that the
government will use the technology wherever it has right of
way issues. “This is the first such initiative in India, and we
adopted this innovative technology because it would
minimise our land requirement for transmission lines as well
as save on land purchase costs,” he said.
“Usually we need 18 metres of right of way to build a 66kV
line, but the covered conductor would make the project
possible in a corridor of 7 to 9 metres width. In fact, in
Yelahanka’s case, the central power research institute (CPRI)
has said seven metres could be sufficient,” said S Sumanth,
KPTCL director (transmission), overseeing the project.
“Once the multi-circuit, multi-voltage line is ready, the
industrial, commercial, educational and residential suburbs
around Yelahanka will not have any power supply
disruptions,” he added.
KPTCL – India
Website:
New steel venture
ArcelorMittal is to enter into a joint venture with the Steel
Authority of India Ltd to establish an automotive steel
manufacturing plant in India.
In the meantime, the company is to idle its wire rod mill in
Georgetown, South Carolina, and reassess its other USA
holdings, especially finishing facilities, to offset record
imports, increased competition and high legacy costs. The
Georgetown closure will result in the loss of 226 jobs.
ArcelorMittal recently reported a $103 million first quarter
operating loss for its North American division, with its USA
holdings showing a loss of almost $1.5 billion over the last
five years.
The Indian joint venture will involve building a cold rolling
mill and other downstream finishing facilities that will offer
technologically advanced steel products to India’s rapidly
growing automotive sector. India is anticipated to become
the world’s fourth largest automobile manufacturing nation
by 2020.
In response to the level of demand, and supported by the
Indian government’s “Make In India” programme, designed
to transform India into a global manufacturing hub,
ArcelorMittal said automotive manufacturers are
establishing an increased presence in the country.
ArcelorMittal – India
Website:
Steel Authority of India Ltd – India
Website:
New panel plant
India’s Sterlite Technologies is to establish an LCD panel
manufacturing plant in the country, with the potential to
create 50,000 jobs. The company is also working on a
project to connect defence establishments in Jammu and
Kashmir through optical fibres.
Anil Agarwal, the head of mining giant Vedanta Resources
Plc, said at the inauguration of Digital India week: “Sterlite
Technologies will play a responsible role in being a part of
Digital India. We are already working on a project in [Jammu
and Kashmir] to connect the defence establishment through
optical fibres.”
He said the LCD panel facility would help to reduce the
imports of electronic goods into the country. However, he
did not specify the timeline of investment or for establishing
the plant.
Sterlite Technologies – India
Website:
Dual-purpose poles
The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a plan to
use existing electric poles, stretching over a distance of
23,000km, to carry broadband connectivity to thousands of
towns and settlements.
All the electric poles will be geo-tagged (providing
geographical identification information) to help officials in
connecting the poles with fibre cable. The state anticipates
cost savings by utilising the network of electric distribution
lines.
Andhra Pradesh is also planning to establish the AP Fibre
Corporation. The state government has approved the fibre
grid project, promising delivery of between 10MB and
15MB to households, and speeds of 100MB for businesses.
The AP fibre grid project will be responsible for laying the
fibre cable along the poles. Areas covered by eastern and
southern power distribution companies will be the first to be
operational.
In a similar cost-saving move, neighbouring state Telangana
is to utilise the water grid’s water-laying trenches for its own
optic fibre network.
Andhra Pradesh Government – India
Website: