Transmission line addition falls 11 per cent in FY22

India added 14,895 ckm of transmission lines in FY22, which was 11 per cent lower than the achievement in FY21.

According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the addition of transmission lines of 220kV or above stood at 14,895 ckm in FY22 (April to March). This was 11.1 per cent lower than the 16750 ckm added in FY21.

 

Here are some more interesting observations:

• In FY22, no HVDC lines were commissioned. As against this, over 3,800 ckm of such lines were installed in FY21, entailing the Raigarh-Pugalur UHVDC line.

 

• There was significant addition of 765kV lines in FY22, amounting to 4,933 ckm, as against just 1,237 ckm in FY21. The proportion of 765kV lines in the total quantum of conventional AC lines added in FY22 stood at an impressive 33.1 per cent in FY22 as compared with just 7.4 per cent in FY21.

 

• In FY21, a total of 5,389 ckm of 400kV lines were commissioned. In FY22, this metric fell to 4,068 ckm. However, this drop can also be explained by the growing proportion of 765kV lines.

 

• The total addition of 220kV lines (largely a state government prerogative) was 5,894 ckm in FY22 as against 6,305 ckm in FY21 – a fall of 6.5 per cent.

 

• Central government agencies (mainly Power Grid Corporation of India) commissioned 4,676 ckm of lines – across all voltages and types — in FY22. Though this was much lower than the 7,166 ckm added in FY21, the achievement in FY22 exceeded the target set for the period.

 

• State government utilities did better in FY22, adding 8,939 ckm as against 7657 ckm in FY21. However, the achievement in FY22 fell short of the planned addition.

 

• Private utilities (including joint ventures) could commission only 1,280 ckm of new lines in FY22. This was lower than both the actual addition in FY21 as well as the planned addition in FY22.

 

• The overall addition of 14,895 ckm in FY22 could meet 77 per cent of the target of 19255 ckm set for the year.

 

[Note: This study takes into account transmission lines of 220kV or higher. It therefore does not include the power distribution network which usually comprises sub-220kV infrastructure. Featured photograph sourced from IndiGrid is for representation only.]