India added 47,272 MVA of transformation (substation) capacity during the first three quarters of FY23, which was 66 per cent of the target set for the period.
According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the cumulative transformation capacity addition during the April-December period of FY23 was 47,272 MVA as against the planned addition of 71,359 MVA. [Substations of 220kV or above rating only are considered in the data released by CEA.]
The biggest shortfall came from Central PSU agencies, mainly including Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). As against the planned addition of 35,585 MVA by this ownership group in April-December period of FY23, actual addition was only 17,770 MVA. This resulted in target achievement of just 50 per cent.
State power utilities achieved nearly 80 per cent of their planned addition. As against the targeted 30,774 MVA, actual addition was 24,502 MVA. The private sector added 5,000 MVA of transformation capacity, achieving exactly what was planned.
Of the 47,272 MVA of substation capacity added in the first three quarters of FY23, roughly 25 per cent came from 765kV substations. Another 40 per cent came from the 400kV class while the 220kV category accounted for the remaining 35 per cent.
It may be noted that no HVDC power transmission infrastructure –lines or substations – has been planned for FY23.
Annual target
The transformation capacity addition target for FY23 has been set at 78,959 MVA. With 47,272 MVA added in the first three quarters, the last quarter of FY23 (January to March) needs to witness 31,687 MVA of addition, if the target needs to be honoured. In other words, for the planned annual achievement to be realized, 40 per cent of the target needs to be met in 25 per cent of the year.
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More downward revisions
It is pertinent to note that the original target for substation capacity addition in FY23 was 95,659 MVA. Considering the progress on ongoing projects, this target was revised downwards to the extent of 12 per cent to 84169 MVA, in around October 2022. Later, in a meeting of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), on December 8, 2022, the target was revised further to 78,959 MVA as discussed in this story. The total downward revision considering the original target is around 17.5 per cent.
It may also be mentioned that the FY23 target for transmission line addition has been revised from the original 21,098 ckm to 17,863 ckm, and further to 14,581 ckm – on the same lines as discussed in the case of substations.
