Mumbai Strengthens Grid with 1,000 MW Kudus–Aarey HVDC Corridor

The link has been built using 320 kV Voltage Source Converter (VSC) HVDC technology and spans approximately 80 kilometres, combining overhead transmission lines with extensive underground cabling through densely populated urban zones. HVDC technology allows more precise control of power flow, improved voltage stability and reduced transmission losses, which are important upgrades for a high demand metropolitan grid.

City officials indicate that Mumbai’s electricity demand is projected to exceed 4,500 MW in the near term, driven by rapid urban growth, commercial expansion and increasing electric vehicle adoption. The Kudus–Aarey corridor is designed to help meet this rising demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuel based generation and improving system resilience.

The project was awarded to AESL under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mechanism, with REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) acting as bid process coordinator, and follows the commissioning of the Kharghar–Vikhroli transmission line in 2023 which also added 1,000 MW of capacity. Energy analysts consider the new corridor a significant step towards integrating greater shares of renewable generation into Mumbai’s power mix and supporting the city’s longer term sustainability and energy security goals.

By enhancing cross regional transfer capability the corridor is expected to improve overall grid reliability and ease peak load pressures, enabling more flexible dispatch of renewable generation across states. The enhanced transmission capacity should also support future additions of wind and solar projects while lowering system level transmission losses and curbing carbon intensity of the power supply. Planners expect the link to form a critical transmission backbone for Mumbai and neighbouring regions.