Ongoing fiscal year FY23 is likely to witness the addition of 27,000 MVA transformation capacity through 765kV substations, according to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
Of the total planned addition, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) is expected to contribute two-thirds, or 18,000 MVA. State government utilities are likely to chip in with 6,000 MVA followed by the private sector with 3,000 MVA.
In the first quarter (April to June) of FY23, a total transformation capacity of 6,000 MVA was added through 765kV substations. This was however short of the target of 10,500 MVA set for the period.
In the said quarter, while PGCIL commissioned 4,500 MVA, the state government sector added 1,500 MVA. There was no addition by private utilities. PGCIL’s achievement came through three 765kV substations – Fatehgarh (Rajasthan), Vadodara (Gujarat) and Bhuj-II (Gujarat) – each of 1,500 MVA. The 1,500 MVA added by state utilities came from Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd’s GIS substation at Phagi in the northern state.
The 3,000 MVA of capacity addition from the private sector in FY23 was to come entirely during the first quarter of the year. However, as mentioned earlier, there was no actual addition of capacity during the period.
Interestingly, the entire 3,000 MVA is expected to come from Adani Power’s 765kV Lakadia substation in Gujarat. This substation is in advanced stage of construction and was likely to commission by end-June 2022.
Overall target
Across all voltages of 220kV and above, India has targeted to add 95,659 MVA of substation capacity for the full year FY23. State utilities are expected to contribute 52,144 MVA followed by PGCIL with 36,515 MVA and private entities with 7,000 MVA. In FY22, substation capacity addition across all voltages and ownership groups had stood at 78,982 MVA.
Featured photograph for representation only
