Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the ±320 kV 2000 MW Pugalur-Thrissur High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) project. 

The Rs 5,070 crore project, a major step in strengthening the national power grid, was developed by POWERGRID.

The project is the first in India to use state-of-the-art Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology. 

This technology significantly reduces the land footprint required for the project, making it ideal for land-scarce regions like Kerala. 

The new HVDC link will enable the transfer of 2000 MW of power from the western region to Kerala, helping meet the state's growing energy demand. 

A unique feature of the project is its combination of an overhead line and an underground cable for power transmission. 

The project also aligns with the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision, as a significant portion of its components and engineering were developed domestically.