India Launches National Initiative for Indigenous Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power Modules in Ultra-High Voltage VSC-HVDC Transmission
To end reliance on imported semiconductor valves for mega renewable transmission corridors, India’s Ministry of Power and Ministry of Electronics and IT (Mei...
India Launches National Initiative for Indigenous Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power Modules in Ultra-High Voltage VSC-HVDC Transmission
To end reliance on imported semiconductor valves for mega renewable transmission corridors, India’s Ministry of Power and Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) have launched a nationwide mission to develop indigenous 3.3 kV to 6.5 kV Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET power modules for VSC-HVDC converter stations.
- Publish date: 2026-09-26
- Category: Standards & Policy
- Original source: Ministry of Power & MeitY, Government of India
- Reading time: 5 min
Overcoming Global Converter Valve Supply Bottlenecks
With transmission utilities like Power Grid Corporation of India deploying gigawatt-scale corridors—including the 800 kV Barmer-to-Maharashtra renewable link—global converter valve lead times have stretched past 36 months.
The joint initiative funds domestic packaging and fabrication of SiC power electronic modules that deliver 70% lower switching losses and operate at junction temperatures up to 175°C, slashing converter station cooling requirements and footprint.
Interoperability with Heavy HVDC Converter Transformers
The consortium, bringing together central engineering institutes and industrial manufacturers like BHEL, will standardize high-speed gate driver interfaces and transient voltage suppression across ±500 kV and ±800 kV converter transformers.
Pilot field trials on a 400 kV static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) are slated for late 2027, paving the way for commercial HVDC adoption by 2029.
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