Sanctions under RDSS touch Rs.2.62 trillion so far

Projects worth over Rs.2.62 trillion have been sanctioned so far under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), it was informed in Parliament.

In a recent written reply given in the Rajya Sabha, it was informed that projects worth Rs.2.62 lakh crore (or Rs.2.62 trillion) have so far been sanctioned under RDSS, covering power distribution infrastructure works and smart metering deployment.

The total outlay under RDSS is Rs.3,03,758 crore (around Rs.3.04 trillion) with gross budgetary support of Rs.97,631 crore (Rs.0.98 trillion). The scheme, running from FY22 to FY26, envisages, among other things, the rollout of 25 crore smart energy meters.

It was also informed that through schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya), among others, projects worth Rs.1.85 trillion were implemented with a view to strengthening the power distribution infrastructure. These projects included works like which includes works like new/upgradation of substations, new/ upgradation of HT/LT lines, agricultural feeder segregation, aerial bunched cable, underground cabling etc.

A total of 18,374 villages were electrified under DDUGJY and 2.86 crore households were electrified under Saubhagya, it was stated.

 

Power transmission

Since April 2014, a total of 1,95,181 ckm of transmission lines (of above 220kV) have been added that is now enabling interregional electricity transfer of 1,18,740 MW. According to statistics available with Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India’s total transmission line network, as of June 30, 2024, stood at 4,86,517 ckm, considering lines of 220kV and above only. Of this, nearly 55,000 ckm were lines of 765kV rating.

 

Power generation

India’s total power generation capacity has seen addition of 2,14,237 MW – growing from 2,48,554 MW in March 2014 to 1,14,190 MW by June 2024. It was also informed that between now and 2032, around 3,37,900 MW of new power generation capacity is planned for addition. This would include both conventional and renewable energy sources. (See table above)

 

Power availability

The written reply also observed that the average number of power supply in a day improved from 23.3 hours in FY23 to 23.4 hours in FY24, on a national basis, for urban consumers. For rural consumers, this metric stood at 21.9 hours in FY24, improving from 21.7 hours in FY23.