The pace of transmission line addition in the current fiscal is falling significantly short of expectations, official statistics suggest.
According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the total quantum of transmission lines added (of 220kV or above) stood at 5,960 ckm during the first three quarters (April to December) of FY25. This was barely 50 per cent of the planned addition of 11,720 ckm for the same period.
What is more worrisome is that for the entire year FY25, the planned addition is 15,253 ckm. With three quarters of the years behind us, actual addition during Q4 (January to March) needs to be as much as 9,293 ckm, if the annual target is to be met. This effectively means achieving 55 per cent more than the actual achievement in nine months, in just three months (January to March).
It is therefore likely that the official target for FY25, currently standing at 15,253 ckm, is revised to a more realistic level. For a frame of reference, actual transmission line addition in FY24 was 14,203 ckm, as against the final target of 16,682 ckm.
By ownership
Shortfall in planned addition was seen across all the ownership groups. Central government entities (mainly Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd but also including Damodar Valley Corporation) could add 1,858 ckm as against the target of 4,118 ckm – an achievement of 45 per cent. State government utilities recorded a somewhat better achievement rate of 54 per cent. Private sector entities added 812 ckm, meeting 53 per cent of the planned addition of 1,544 ckm.
During the first three quarters of FY25, much of the actual line addition (around 37 per cent) came in the 400kV category. Addition in the 220kV class was 2,191 ckm, accounting for 37 per cent of the total addition. The 765kV category saw 1,536 ckm of new lines, all coming from PGCIL.
ISTS vs InSTS
Of the total 5,960 ckm commissioned in the April-December period of FY25, addition on the interstate transmission system (ISTS) side was 2,618 ckm, or 44 per cent of the total. The remaining 3,342 ckm (or 56 per cent) was on the intrastate grid (InSTS).
Cumulative status
As of December 31, 2024, India’s total transmission line network (of 220kV or above) was 4,91,504 ckm, dominated by the 220kV category (2,09,725 ckm, 43 per cent of the total) but closely followed by 440kV with 2,06,071 ckm. The 765kV category accounted for 11 per cent of the total network, as of given date, and the share of this voltage class has been inching up steadily over the years.
Interregional transfer capacity
As of December 31, 2024, India’s total interregional (IR) transfer capacity stood at 1,18,740 MW, unchanged from its level as of March 31, 2024. During FY24, IR transfer capacity addition was 6,490 MW.
Note: This story covers transmission lines of 220kV or higher, only. Featured photograph (source: Sterlite Power) is for representation only.
