NBTL by Resonia boosting power infrastructure in North East India

The Nangalbibra-Bongaigaon Transmission Line (NBTL) project ensures the reliable transmission of power from Assam to Meghalaya. Apart from providing an additional 1000MW of power supply, the project also decongests the downstream networks in the region, thereby improving the quality and reliability of power supply in Northeast India. 

Nangalbibra-Bongaigaon Transmission Line (NBTL) by Sterlite Power is enhancing power infrastructure in Northeast India, enabling 1000MW electricity transfer to Meghalaya and Assam. Following its strategic demerger, RESONIA focuses on expanding transmission networks and Green Energy Corridors, integrating renewable power, and deploying advanced grid technologies to strengthen India’s sustainable energy future. Arun Sharma discusses the strategies and expansion plans with EPR. Let us hear him.

What is the significance of the Nangalbibra – Bongaigaon transmission line in strengthening the power infrastructure of the North-Eastern region?

The Nangalbibra—Bongaigaon transmission line (NBTL) was successfully commissioned by Sterlite Power in November 2024. The commissioning of the NBTL line is a critical step towards strengthening the power infrastructure in Northeast India by enabling the seamless transfer of over 1000 MW of electricity to Meghalaya and Assam to support industrial, commercial, and socio-economic growth and the overall quality of life.

This new infrastructure project ensures reliable power transmission from Assam to Meghalaya. In addition to providing an additional 1000MW of power supply, the project also decongests the downstream networks in the region, thereby improving the quality and reliability of power supply in Northeast India. 

The project involved laying around 300 km of transmission lines across the challenging Northeastern terrain of Assam and Meghalaya and constructing a greenfield substation with a 300 MW transformation capacity at Nangalbibra in Meghalaya. It includes a 123km, 400kV D/C transmission line connecting Bongaigaon in Assam to a substation in Nangalbibra, crossing the Brahmaputra River. The 220/132kV substation at Nangalbibra also allows future expansion to 400kV to support increasing load demands.

A 19 km 132kV D/C transmission line connects Hatsinghmari in Assam to Ampati in Meghalaya, providing an additional power supply source. The Nangal Bibra transmission project not only helps bridge the existing power gaps but also lays the groundwork for future expansion of the regional economy by attracting investments, creating jobs, and driving infrastructure growth. As India moves toward a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape, we are committed to reinforcing the national grid and accelerating economic progress.

How does Sterlite Power’s strategic demerger into RESONIA and STERLITE impact its business focus?

The strategic demerger of Sterlite Power into RESONIA and STERLITE marks a transformative shift. It allows both companies to sharpen their focus on their respective areas of expertise to realise greater growth with speed and a larger footprint in the Indian power sector. RESONIA is now a cherished brand dedicated to developing and expanding transmission infrastructure across the country. Its core purpose is to empower humanity by addressing the toughest challenges of clean energy delivery.

A key part of our endeavour is to build Green Energy Corridors that enable the seamless integration of renewable power into the grid. This ensures efficient and reliable transmission from energy-generation hubs in the western region to demand centres. Additionally, the inter-regional transmission capacity is planned to increase from the current 119 GW to 143 GW by 2026-27, and further to 168 GW by 2031-32. By focusing exclusively on transmission networks, we are better positioned to accelerate energy transition and strengthen the backbone of the country’s power infrastructure. Our expertise lies in developing large-scale interstate transmission projects that enhance grid reliability, reduce congestion and ensure uninterrupted power supply.

With electricity demand projected to grow at 6.3 percent annually over the next three years particularly with the push for industrial growth, urban expansion and electrification of remote areas, we are committed to scaling our efforts. The National Electricity Plan also envisages the addition of approximately 191,474 km of transmission lines and 1,274 GVA of transformation capacity at 220KV and above voltage levels between 2022-23 and 2031-32. 

In this respect, RESONIA is actively working to bridge power supply gaps, strengthen inter-state transmission networks, and create a more resilient national grid. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, data-driven planning, and efficient project execution, we are ensuring that Indian power infrastructure is prepared for the future.

With our new identity, we are increasing our engagement with investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to drive targeted investments and allocate greater resources to transmission assets. We aim to build a sustainable power infrastructure to meet the increasing energy demands of industries, businesses, and communities.

How does RESONIA contribute to the Green Energy Corridor initiative?

As the country rapidly expands its solar and wind capacity to meet the 500GW renewable target by 2030 and plans over 191,000ckm of new transmission lines by 2032, strengthening the transmission network is essential to expanding sustainable energy delivery.

RESONIA, at the forefront of this transformation, is developing large-scale transmission projects critical to Green Energy Corridors’ success. One of the largest GEC projects viz. We commissioned the lakadia-Vadodara Transmission Project (LVTPL) in January 2023. The project involved the construction of a 350km long, 765KV double circuit green corridor that connects renewable energy hubs in Gujarat to the national grid and has the potential capacity to transmit 8,000 MW of clean energy. Since its commissioning, LVTPL has been supplying 5,000 MW of green power to the national grid.

Similarly, the Mumbai Urja Marg Transmission Line project (MUML) commissioned in September 2024 is a 178km long, 400kV interstate power transmission system spanning across Gujarat and beyond to Maharashtra, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Package C of this transmission system can carry more than 2000 MW of additional clean energy power through an interstate transmission system (ISTS) to feed the region. RESONIA is executing the Khavda (Part C) project to evacuate 7GW of RE from a 30GW capacity hybrid (solar & wind) park in Khavda.

RESONIA is committed to building efficient, future-ready transmission networks, accelerating India’s clean energy transition. By expanding green energy corridors, we aim to seamlessly integrate renewables and position India as a global leader in sustainable energy.

What are the key technological and innovative advancements RESONIA is implementing in its transmission solutions?

As the demand for renewable energy integration grows, we are implementing next-generation solutions that enhance grid performance, minimise losses and ensure seamless long-distance power transfer. A key advancement is using high-voltage transmission lines (765kV and 400kV), which enable bulk power transfer with lower transmission losses over long distances. Projects like the Lakadia-Vadodara Transmission Project and Mumbai Urja Marg are designed to efficiently evacuate green energy from renewable hubs to load centres, reinforcing the backbone of India’s energy grid.

We are also integrating digital and smart grid technologies into our operations. This includes real-time monitoring systems, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and IoT-enabled sensors that provide advanced analytics on grid health, enabling proactive issue resolution and reducing downtime. Additionally, adopting dynamic line rating (DLR) technology allows us to optimise the capacity of transmission lines based on real-time weather conditions, maximising efficiency.

We have adopted advanced aerial technologies such as Drone stringing and LiDAR-based route surveys to tackle the challenges of building transmission infrastructure in difficult terrains. We also use Helicranes for airlifting heavy material and tower parts in mountainous and other inaccessible regions. These solutions help us accelerate project execution, minimise environmental impact, and enhance operational safety.  

Furthermore, sustainability is at the core of our innovations. We are incorporating green substations, compact tower designs and advanced insulation materials to reduce land usage and environmental footprint. Our emphasis on hybrid grid solutions also ensures seamless integration of renewable energy into the existing power infrastructure.