Private sector entities are likely to commission a lesser quantum of transmission lines in FY25 as compared with FY24, official statistics indicate.
An analysis by T&D India based on statistics newly released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) reveals that private sector entities are likely to commission 2,289 ckm of new transmission lines (of 220kV or above) in FY25, around 30 per cent lower than their achievement of 3,272 ckm in FY24.
In fact, FY24 was among the best years in recent history for the private sector where the 3,272 ckm of new transmission commissioned even exceeded the targeted 2,938 ckm.
A large chunk of this anticipated addition of 2,289 ckm is expected to come from two established players – Sterlite Power (823 ckm) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (636 ckm). Megha Engineering is likely to commission 426 ckm while another 285 ckm would come from ReNew Power. Apraava Energy and Resurgent Power (co-owned by Tata Power) are also likely to make small contributions.
Bulk of the addition by private sector is expected to come from interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes that these entities have won under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route. However, some addition on the intrastate transmission system (InSTS) side, especially from players like Adani Energy Solutions and Megha Engineering, cannot be ruled out.
Most of the 2,289 ckm to be added by the private sector in FY25 will come from 400kV lines. The anticipated addition of 400kV lines stands at 1,381 ckm, followed by 765kV lines at 814 ckm. On the 220kV side, the addition envisaged by the private sector n FY25 stands at a nominal 94 ckm.
Overall target
Meanwhile, the transmission line addition in FY25 across all ownership groups stands at 16,667 ckm as against the actual achievement of 14,203 ckm in FY24. In FY25, around 54 per cent of the planned addition – or 8,965 ckm — is expected from state government utilities. Central government agencies (Power Grid Corporation of India and Damodar Valley Corporation) are expected to together add 5,413 ckm, representing 32 per cent of the total FY25 addition. Private sector entities will have a share of nearly 14 per cent. (see table)
In April 2024, the inaugural month of FY25, a total of 179 ckm of new transmission lines got commissioned with the entire quantum coming from state government utilities.
(Note: This story takes into account transmission lines of 220kV or higher)
