The current fiscal year, FY25, is likely to see the lowest addition of transmission lines on the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network.
According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority, a total of just 2,618 ckm of transmission lines (of 220kV or higher) were added during the first eleven months (April to February) of FY25, on the ISTS grid.
The lowest ISTS transmission line addition, in recent history, was seen in FY23 when 4,671 ckm was added. Given that there is just one month (March 2025) left for FY25 to close, the performance in FY25 is unlikely to cross 4,671 ckm. This will make FY25 the worst year in terms of quantum of transmission line addition on the ISTS network. (See table).
It may be mentioned that transmission line addition on the intrastate transmission system (InSTS) side was relatively healthier, standing at 4,262 ckm during the April-February period of FY25.
When it comes to transmission infrastructure addition on the ISTS side, the entities involved mainly include Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and private sector developers that develop ISTS projects under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework.
Both these ownership groups have missed their planned addition in FY25 by a significant margin. For instance, Central government entities (mainly PGCIL, but also including Damodar Valley Corporation in a small way) added 1,948 ckm of ISTS lines as against the targeted 4,118 ckm. The private sector could commission just 812 ckm in the face of a 1,586-ckm target. Hence the target achievement of the Central and private entities was 47 per cent and 51 per cent, respectively.
Serious concerns relating to securing right-of-way (RoW) is believed to be the most important factor for poor transmission line addition in FY25. Speaking of ISTS projects currently under construction, most of them relate to evacuation of renewable energy (RE) power. A large portion of renewable energy generation assets are located in far-flung areas of states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, requiring transmission lines to pass through ecologically sensitive areas like forests and potential habitats of endangered fauna species.
Cumulative status
As of February 28, 2025, India’s total transmission line network on the ISTS grid stood at 213608 ckm, accounting for 43.4 per cent of the total transmission line network (ISTS + InSTS) of 4,92,424 ckm.
The total interregional transfer capacity, as of given date, was 1,18,740 MVA, unchanged from its level as of March 31, 2024.
This story takes into account transmission lines of 220kV or higher.
