Latest government statistics indicate that state government utilities accounted for most of the transmission lines commissioned in the first eight months of the ongoing fiscal year, FY22.
The statistics, recently released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) suggest that a total of 9,693 ckm of transmission lines were commissioned in the first eight months (April to November) of FY21, across the voltage classes 220kV and above, including HVDC.
It may be noted that only lines of 220kV or higher form part of CEA’s monitoring purview. This loosely means that transmission lines that form part of the power distribution network are not considered.
It is also worthy to note the total quantum of transmission lines commissioned in April-November 2021 met only 60 per cent of the targeted 16,111 ckm. The target shortfall was most prominent in the case of state government utilities and the private sector. Central PSUs, in fact, achieved 4,343 ckm that was indeed higher than the planned 3,259 ckm.
Moving to the 765kV class
Another interesting aspect was the progressive shift towards 765kV architecture. Of the 9,693 ckm of lines commissioned, 32.6 per cent was in the form of 765kV lines, which, in turn, were mainly developed by Central PSUs. The bulk of the total lines commissioned came from 220kV lines, accounting for 37.8 per cent of the total. Transmission lines of the 400kV type accounted for 29.5 per cent of the aggregate.
During the XI Plan period (FY08 to FY12), only 2 per cent of the total transmission lines commissioned were of the 765kV type. In the XII Plan period (FY13 to FY17), this share moved up sharply to 8.5 per cent. In the ongoing Plan period (FY18 to FY22) so far, which is up to end-November 2021, the share of 765kV lines has risen further to 10.9 per cent.
Also read: 765kV Line Addition Falls Short Of Target In April-July 2021
The 765kV transmission line infrastructure is largely the prerogative of Central PSU (mainly PGCIL) but it is being seen that private sector is also making a respectable contribution thanks to interstate lines being built under the TBCB route. State government utilities are also moving towards 765kV lines, even for their intrastate networks.
In the current Plan period so far (April 1, 2018 to November 30, 2021), a total of 49254 ckm of 765kV lines have been commissioned of which Central PSUs accounted for 80 per cent, followed by the private sector with 16 per cent and state utilities with the residual 4 per cent.
Note: FY runs from April 1 to March 31. For instance, FY22 or 2021-22 is the financial year from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, and so on. XI Plan period is from FY08 to FY12, which is 2007-08 to 2011-12. The XII Plan period is from 2012-13 to 2017-18. The current Plan period started from April 1, 2018 and will end on March 31, 2022, which is 2017-18 to 2021-22.
