Adani Commissions 1,000 MW VSC-HVDC Infeed for Mumbai
Adani Electricity Mumbai Infrastructure Limited (AEMIL), a subsidiary of Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL), commissioned a 1,000 MW VSC-HVDC transmission link between Kudus and Aarey on 14 April 2026, strengthening power supply infrastructure across Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Project Scope and Configuration
The project comprises a 30 km overhead line and a 50 km underground corridor, designed to operate within the constraints of a densely built urban environment. It also incorporates what has been described as the world's first compact HVDC substation — a configuration suited to space-constrained metropolitan settings where conventional substation footprints are not viable.
The Kudus–Aarey link is among the largest urban HVDC infeeds globally, and has been designed to enable Mumbai and the MMR to draw significantly more electricity from outside the city, including renewable energy generated in other regions.
Technology
The project deployed Voltage Source Converter (VSC)-based HVDC technology, which enables faster and more precise control of power flows, improves voltage stability, and enhances grid reliability, particularly in space-constrained urban environments. Key operational benefits include dynamic voltage support, reduced transmission losses over long distances, and black-start capability, enabling restoration of power without relying on an external source and allowing quicker recovery in the event of outages.
Background and Grid Context
The project was conceived in the aftermath of the October 2020 Mumbai blackout, which exposed vulnerabilities in the city's power supply. While Mumbai is already connected to the national grid, the HVDC link enhances that connectivity by enabling more controlled, higher-capacity power flows — particularly for renewable energy integration.
The additional 1,000 MW of capacity is expected to reduce reliance on in-city generation, enhance grid resilience, and lower outage risks.
Company Context
AESL is India's largest private transmission company, with a cumulative transmission network of 27,949 circuit kilometres and 123,175 MVA of transformation capacity. In its distribution business, AESL serves approximately 13 million consumers across metropolitan Mumbai and the industrial hub of Mundra SEZ.
Kandarp Patel, CEO of Adani Energy Solutions, said the Kudus–Aarey link gives Mumbai a power corridor capable of integrating large-scale renewable energy at high reliability, and described it as one of the fastest HVDC projects ever commissioned.
