IPI pipeline: 'focus on big picture'
Oct 22, 2007 - Hindustan Times
India and South Asian countries need
to work out a mechanism for regional energy cooperation
by de-linking the subject from current controversies
relating to the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline
project.
Iranian Ambassador Seyed Mehdi Nabizadeh,
sending out this message, reminds one of the need
to focus on the big picture, viewing alternative options
of grid connectivity and power trading to ensure energy
supply from energy-surplus to energy-deficient countries
like India.
Nabizadeh pointed out at a conference
on Friday that Iran is exporting power to nine countries
and approximately half a dozen other arrangements
are being worked out with other countries. Azerbaijan
and Armenia are importing 400 megawatts, while Pakistan
plans to import an additional 100 MW. Therefore, the
obvious question: Why cannot India come within the
loop? The seminar was sponsored jointly by the Center
for Asian Strategic Studies – India (CASS-India) and
the “Strategic Affairs” monthly.
The European and Mediterranean experiences
provide the take-off point and India should do well
not to miss the bus, CASS-India Director AB Mahapatra
said.
Two alternative options of power sharing
arrangement exist. First, the laying of a High Voltage
Direct Current (HVDC) line from Iran to India with
under sea cable traveling from existing Iranian power
networks to Kandla in Gujarat. The other option is
to draw power through existing Pakistani grid connectivity.
Power drawn from Iran can get connected to Pakistani
grid in Karachi and enter India through Rajasthan.
Interconnectivity of grids is an idea
gaining support in countries including the United
States, while the Baltic States are moving towards
creating a Baltic electricity ring connecting all
grids in the area. Compared to the traditional High
Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) power lines, the
HVDC lines are being favored for their specific advantages.
These lines cannot be overloaded and HVDC power flow
can be controlled to ensure maximum power grid stability.
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