India’s interregional power transfer capacity is set to reach 134 GW by March 2029, according to a report by Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL).
The recently released “Rolling Plan: Interstate transmission system 2028-29” by CTUIL has estimated that India’s interregional transfer capacity between now and March 2029 (end of FY29) is expected to increase by 18,000 MW. This would take the total interregional transfer capacity to 1,34,540 MW by March 2029.
The report estimates that most of this increase would be related to transfer between WR, NR and ER. Relatively smaller augmentation will also be seen in transfer capacity related to ER and NER. (Abbreviations explained at the end of story)
Currently, the WR-NR transfer capacity, at 36,720 MW, is the highest amongst all regions. This is poised to increase further by 10,000 MW to reach 46,720 MW by March 2029. Further, WR-SR transfer capacity is likely to touch 28,120 MW by March 2029 from 22,320 MW currently – up by 5,800 MW.
It may be noted that in the table above “WR-NR” transfer, for instance, technically refers to bidirectional transfer between the two regions. However, in practice, one of the two directions usually dominates over the other. (The table may be interpreted accordingly.)
The envisaged increase of 18,000 MW in overall interregional capacity will be achieved through several upcoming interstate transmission lines either by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) or private sector entities. Some of such upcoming lines, along with their transfer capacity, are:
- Mandsaur PS – Rishabdeo (765kV, DC, WR-NR): 4,200 MW
- Mandsaur PS – Beawar (765kV, DC, WR-NR): 4,200 MW
- Neemuch – Chittorgarh (400kV, DC, WR-NR): 1,600 MW
- Narendra – Pune III (765kV, DC, WR-SR): 4,200 MW
(DC stands for “double-circuit”)
Growth in IR capacity
India’s interregional (IR) transfer capacity has nearly doubled from 61,150 MW in FY16 to 116,540 MW in FY24. The country’s IR transfer capacity crossed the 1 lakh-MW mark during FY20. Currently, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd along with its TBCB subsidiaries owns around 85 per cent of India’s total IR capacity with private sector entities owning the remainder. The private sector has been contributing to IR transfer capacity by way of interstate transmission system projects awarded under the TBCB mechanism.
Abbreviations: NR = Northern Region; ER = Eastern Region; SR = Southern Region; WR = Western Region; NER = Northeastern Region
Also read: Interregional Electricity Transfer Up 5.6 Per Cent In FY24
Featured photograph (source: PGCIL) is for representation only.
