GE Vernova Wins First HVDC Refurbishment Contract in India

India’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure is entering a new phase of modernization as aging inter-regional links are upgraded to support growing electricity demand and renewable integration. A key example is the Chandrapur back-to-back HVDC link, a strategic asset that enables controlled power exchange between India’s western and southern grids.

GE Vernova has been awarded a contract by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) to refurbish the 1,000 MW Chandrapur HVDC link. The project marks GE Vernova’s first HVDC refurbishment contract in India and will be delivered through its Electrification Systems business.

Originally commissioned in the late 1990s, the Chandrapur link consists of two 500 MW back-to-back converter stations connecting Chandrapur in the western region with Ramagundam in the southern region. The system enables bidirectional power transfer between regions with different generation profiles, supporting more efficient dispatch and improved use of regional energy resources.

Under the contract, GE Vernova will modernize the HVDC control and protection systems and replace legacy converter valves with advanced technology. The upgraded HVDC valves and control systems will be manufactured at GE Vernova’s facilities in India, supporting local industrial capability while upgrading critical grid infrastructure.

Refurbishment of HVDC systems focuses on replacing key components—such as converter valves, automation platforms, and protection systems—while maintaining grid availability during execution. The upgrades are expected to extend the operational life of the interconnection, improve reliability, and enhance flexibility as renewable generation continues to increase across the Indian power system.

For transmission operators, refurbishment offers a cost-effective alternative to full asset replacement, preserving prior capital investments while aligning infrastructure performance with modern grid requirements. In systems with rising shares of variable renewable energy, HVDC links play a central role in maintaining stability and managing long-distance power flows.

The project also supports India’s national energy objectives, including its target of reaching 500 GW of non-fossil generation capacity by 2030. Reliable, high-capacity transmission corridors such as the Chandrapur HVDC link are essential for moving renewable electricity efficiently between regions, strengthening energy security and enabling continued decarbonization of the power sector.

www.gevernova.com