Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), India’s largest electric power transmission utility, has secured a major interstate transmission project involving the installation of synchronous condenser (SynCon) units at the Fatehgarh-II Power Station. The company has received the Letter of Intent (LoI) for the project, marking another important addition to its growing portfolio of critical transmission infrastructure.
The project involves the installation and commissioning of two synchronous condenser units at the 765/400/220 kV Fatehgarh-II Power Station, along with the development of the associated bays required for their integration into the transmission network. POWERGRID will execute the project under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model.
The installation of synchronous condensers is becoming increasingly important as India’s power system undergoes a rapid transition towards renewable energy. Unlike conventional thermal power plants, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind do not naturally provide inertia and reactive power support to the grid. As renewable energy capacity continues to expand, maintaining grid stability has become a key challenge for transmission system operators.
Synchronous condensers help address this challenge by supplying reactive power, improving voltage regulation, increasing short-circuit strength, and providing system inertia. These capabilities enable the transmission network to operate more reliably, particularly in regions with a high concentration of renewable energy generation. The technology also supports faster recovery from grid disturbances and enhances overall power system resilience.
The Fatehgarh-II project is expected to strengthen the operational performance of the interstate transmission system by improving voltage stability and ensuring a more reliable flow of electricity across the network. The associated transmission bays to be developed under the project will facilitate the seamless integration and operation of the synchronous condenser units.
The project is particularly significant as India continues to pursue its ambitious clean energy targets. With large-scale renewable energy parks being developed across states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, transmission infrastructure is evolving to support higher levels of variable power generation. Grid-support technologies, including synchronous condensers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), are increasingly being deployed to maintain grid reliability while enabling greater renewable energy penetration.
Although synchronous condensers and battery energy storage systems perform different functions, they complement each other in modern power systems. While BESS provides energy storage, frequency regulation, and peak load management, synchronous condensers contribute essential grid stability services such as inertia, voltage support, and fault current. Together, these technologies are expected to play a crucial role in building a flexible and resilient electricity grid.
POWERGRID has been at the forefront of expanding India’s transmission network, connecting renewable energy projects with demand centres and strengthening interstate power transfer capacity. The company’s continued investment in advanced transmission technologies reflects the evolving needs of the country’s electricity sector as it moves towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix.
With the award of the Fatehgarh-II SynCon Project POWERGRID further reinforces its position as a key enabler of India’s energy transition. The project is expected to enhance the reliability of the interstate transmission system, support large-scale renewable energy integration, and contribute to the development of a stronger, smarter, and more resilient national powergrid.
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