Transmission infra addition surpasses target for the first time in FY25

The quantum of transmission line and transformation capacity added in the first seven months (April to October) of FY25 has surpassed the target set for the period. This is the first time in FY25 that achievement has exceeded the target.

According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), a total of 4,337 ckm of transmission lines were added during the April-October period of FY25. This was nearly 10 per cent higher than the planned addition of 4,762 ckm.

In terms of substation (transformation) capacity, the achievement, at 33,265 MVA, was 8 per cent higher than the planned addition of 30,780 MVA set for the April-October period of FY25.

This overall impressive performance was largely driven by Central government utilities (mainly Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) that achieved much more than the targets – both in terms of lines and substations. This ownership group did well to exceed the targeted addition by 18 per cent in terms of transmission lines and around 20 per cent with respect to substation capacity.

As can be seen the given table, state government utilities added more transmission lines than what was planned. However, when it came to substations, the target achievement was just a shade below 100 per cent.

The private sector surpassed the planned addition of line during April-October period of FY25, recording an achievement of 812 ckm vis-à-vis the targeted 808 ckm. With respect to substations, the achievement of 3,320 MVA coincided with the target.

It may be noted that much of the private sector contribution came from Sterlite Power that commissioned a number of lines and substations associated with its ISTS-TBCB projects like Mumbai Urja Marg Ltd and Nangalbibra-Bongaigaon Transmission Ltd.

 

Revision in target

In a very significant development, Central Electricity Authority, in October 2024, downwardly revised the transmission infrastructure targets for FY25. Accordingly, the planned addition of transmission lines for FY25 now stands at 15,253 ckm, which is 8.5 per cent lower than the original target of 16,667 ckm. Similarly, the revised transformation capacity addition target for FY25, at 112,435 MVA, is 3.5 per cent lower than the originally planned 116,490 MVA.

It is interesting to note that with respect to the planned addition in FY25 (based on revised targets), PGCIL alone is expected to contribute 35 per cent in terms of line addition and a much higher 45 per cent with respect to new transformation capacity.

In FY24, actual addition of transmission lines stood at 14,203 ckm while 70,728 MVA of substation capacity was added. Thus, the FY25 targets imply an envisaged growth of 7.4 per cent in transmission line addition and a whopping 59 per cent with respect to substation capacity addition.

 

(Note: This report takes into account power transmission infrastructure of 220kV or higher only)