India could achieve 86 per cent of the targeted transmission line addition during the first seven months of FY21.
The country saw the addition of 8,094 ckm (circuit km) of new transmission lines during the first seven months (April to October) of FY21. This was around 86 per cent of the targeted 9,425 ckm for the period.
For the full year FY21, the targeted addition is 15,791 ckm. This implies that in the first seven months (or 58 per cent of the year), around 51 per cent of the target has been achieved. On this pro-rata basis, therefore, the progress in FY21 appears fairly on track.
The figures discussed above are aggregated across ownership groups and line voltages. However, when seen at a disaggregated level, the analysis throws up some interesting observations:
- In terms of 800kV HVDC lines, the target achievement was 100 per cent. It may be mentioned that these type of lines were the prerogative of Central PSUs entities. The ownership group was accounted for solely by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. The achievement of 3,531 ckm came from the Raigarh-Pugalur HVDC link. (Read more).
- With respect to 765kV lines, the performance was quite disastrous. As against 1,306 ckm targeted together by Central and private entities, the actual addition was a negligible 2 ckm.
- Central PSUs did very well on the 400kV lines front. As against the targeted 653 ckm, the actual addition was nearly double – at 1,295 ckm. State government and private entities, on the other hand, could not achieve even half the targeted addition. However, the overall achievement, across all ownership groups, was a healthy 82 per cent, riding on the superlative performance by Central PSUs.
- State government utilities put up an excellent show in their core area – 220kV transmission lines. The actual addition of 2,693 ckm far surpassed the targeted 1,713 ckm.
- With respect to aggregate performance of ownership groups (across all voltage levels), Central PSUs achieved 91 per cent of their targeted line addition. Private entities put up a depressing performance with an achievement of less than 15 per cent. State government entities excelled, surpassing their target by over 20 per cent.
(This story is based on recent statistics released by Central Electricity Authority)
