Private sector entities Sterlite Power and Renew Transmission Ventures commissioned some ISTS transmission lines in September 2024, making it the first contribution by private sector developers to ISTS transmission line addition in FY25.
According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Sterlite Power commissioned 223 ckm of transmission lines in September 2024, all associated with its ISTS-TBCB project housed under “Mumbai Urja Marg Ltd” that was formerly known as “Vapi-II North Lakhimpur Transmission Ltd”. The underlying project is referred to as “WRSS-XIX and NERSS-IX”. The biggest of the three lines was the 400kV double-circuit Padghe-Kharghar line, running 140 ckm, in Maharashtra.
Similarly, Renew Transmission Ventures commissioned a 187-ckm 400kV double-circuit line from Gadag Pooling Station to Narendra (New) substation, in Karnataka. This line is part of the ISTS-TBCB project that Renew is developing through “Gadag Transmission Ltd.” Incidentally, the Gadag PS — another element of this scheme – was also commissioned in September 2024.
With this, private sector entities commissioned 410 ckm of transmission lines in September 2024, making it the first contribution by this ownership group to the ISTS network in FY25.
The total addition of ISTS transmission lines in H1 (April to September) of FY25 was 815 ckm. PGCIL, it may be recalled had commissioned 405 ckm in August 2024, which was the first ISTS line addition in FY25.
Overall performance
During H1 of FY25, a total of 3,308 ckm of transmission lines (of 220kV or higher) were added, out of which 2,493 ckm (or 75 per cent) were on the intrastate transmission system (InSTS) network and the remaining 25 per cent (or 815 ckm) on the ISTS side.
Overall transmission line addition fell considerably short of the targeted 8,515 ckm by over 60 per cent. Central transmission utilities added 457 ckm of lines, almost the entire quantum (405 ckm) coming from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). State utilities made the highest contribution of 2,441 ckm, albeit falling short of the planned addition of 6,221 ckm.
It may be noted that no new HVDC lines have been envisaged for addition in FY25, as was the case in the past two years.
Target for FY25
For the whole of FY25, the planned addition of transmission lines stands at 16,667 ckm. With just 3,308 ckm added in H1, the annual target achievement currently stands at less than 20 per cent.
Private sector entities, largely driven by their ISTS-TBCB projects, are expected to add 2,289 ckm of transmission lines in FY25. However, the actual addition in H1 has been just 410 ckm.
In FY24, overall transmission line addition was 14,203 ckm that came respectably close to 85 per cent of the planned addition.
Cumulative status
As of September 30, 2024, India’s total transmission network (coming from lines of 220kV or above) was 4,88,852 ckm. Of this, around 42 per cent were of the 220kV/230kV type, followed by 400kV lines with a 43 per cent share. The share of 765kV lines was 11 per cent and that of HVDC lines (all voltages) stood at 4 per cent.
As of given date, India’s total interregional transfer capacity was 1,18,740 MW, unchanged from its level as of March 31, 2024.
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Note: “WRSS” and “NERSS” referred to in this story stands for “Western Region System Strengthening” and “Northeastern Region System Strengthening”, respectively. This story takes into account transmission lines of 220kV or above, only. Featured photograph (source: Sterlite Power) is for representation only.
