The quantum of new transmission lines added in the first half (H1: April to September) of FY24 was nearly 22 per cent lower than the comparable level in H1 of FY23, according to a special study by T&D India based on official statistics.
Newly-released statistics by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) suggest that India added 5,206 ckm of new transmission lines in H1 of FY24, which was 21.8 per cent lower than the comparable 6,661 ckm added in H1 of FY23. [Transmission lines considered here of the voltage class 220kV and above.]
Here are some statistical highlights:
- In H1 of FY24, a total of 995 ckm of 765kV lines were added, as against 700 ckm in H1 of FY23. However, in H1 of FY24, the entire addition came from the private sector and that too from just one entity – Adani Group. In H1 of FY23, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) alongside private sector entities had contributed to the overall addition. (See table).
- Central government agencies (mainly PGCIL) made significant contribution to the 400kV line addition achievement. In H1 of FY24, Central agencies added as much as 1,639 ckm of 400kV lines as against 718 ckm added in the same period of FY23. State government utilities could add only 309 ckm of 400kV lines in H1 of FY24, as against 883 ckm in H1 of FY23. Private sector entities also saw a marked decline in 400kV line addition.
- All the same, the overall 400kV line addition in H1 of FY24, at 2,043 ckm, was almost at par with the 2,084 ckm added in H1 of FY23.
- The biggest decline was seen with respect to the 220kV class, which is usually a prerogative of state government utilities. As against 3,877 ckm of 220kV line addition in H1 of FY23, addition in H1 of FY24 was 44 per cent lower, at 2,168 ckm.
- In H1 of FY23, there was an unusually large addition of 1,015 ckm of 220kV lines by Central government agencies; most of these lines were added by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). In H1 of FY24, addition of 220kV lines by Central agencies was insignificant.
- In terms of ownership, the private sector saw a 25 per cent growth in overall transmission line addition – 1,211 ckm in H1 of FY24 as against 971 ckm in H1 of FY23. Central government and state government entities, on the other hand, sustained declines of 15 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively.
- No HVDC lines were added in H1 of FY24, as was the case with H1 of FY23 as well.
- The 5,206 ckm of transmission lines added in H1 of FY24 was less than half of the planned addition of 10,458 ckm. For the full year FY24, the planned addition of transmission lines stands at a towering 16,602 ckm, which appears out of bounds at least going by the performance so far. In the whole of FY23, a total of 14,625 ckm of transmission lines were added.
Also read: Transmission Line Addition Falls Significantly Short Of Target
Featured photograph (source: IndiGrid) is for representation only.
