There was nil addition of new transmission lines on the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network in November 2024. The entire addition during the month was seen in the intrastate transmission system (InSTS) grid.
No new transmission lines were added on the ISTS network in November 2024, according to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority.
Overall, 355 ckm of new transmission lines were added in November 2024 and the entire quantum was attributed to state government utilities, on the 220kV intrastate network.
Central government agencies (mainly Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) and the private sector recorded nil addition. However, it may be noted that these two ownership groups had no planned addition of lines in November 2024.
The 355 ckm of lines commissioned by state government utilities fell short of the planned addition of 644 ckm, with much of the shortfall coming in the 400kV category.
Cumulative performance
During the April-November period of FY25, total transmission line addition was 5,117 ckm that in fact exceeded the planned addition of 4,981 ckm. State government entities made the highest contribution of 3,065 ckm, followed by Central agencies with 1,240 ckm and the private sector chipping in with 812 ckm.
From the voltage perspective, the new transmission line addition in the April-November period of FY25 was dominated by the 220kV category (2,121 ckm or 41.5 per cent of the total), closely followed by 400kV (2,078 ckm, 40.6 per cent) and finally by the 765kV category where 918 ckm of new lines were added, accounting for nearly 18 per cent of the total.
Of the total 5,117 ckm of lines added in the first eight months of FY25, addition on the ISTS side was 2,000 ckm (unchanged from the April-October level) while the remaining 3,117 ckm was built on the intrastate network.
From the ownership perspective, the cumulative transmission line addition in the April-November period of FY25 was dominated by state utilities that accounted for a 60 per cent share. Central utilities led by PGCIL accounted for 24 per cent, with private utilities, notably Sterlite Power, contributing 16 per cent to the total 5,117 ckm of line addition in the given period.
Cumulative Status
As of November 30, 2024, India’s total transmission line network (of 220kV or above) stood at 4,90,661 ckm. State utilities had a share of 54 per cent, followed by Central utilities with 37 per cent and the private sector with 9 per cent. In terms of voltage class, 220kV (also including a minor component of 230kV) had a share of 43 per cent, very closely followed by 400kV with 42 per cent. The 765kV class accounted for 11 per cent of India’s total transmission network with HVDC (all voltages) representing the remaining 4 per cent.
As of given date, India’s total interregional (IR) transfer capacity was 1,18,740 MW, unchanged in the current fiscal year so far. The highest IR transfer capacity, at 38,320 MW, is between the northern region (NR) grid and the western region (WR) grid.
Also read: No ISTS-TBCB completions in FY25 so far
[Note: This report takes into account transmission lines of 220kV or above, only.]
Featured photograph is for representation only
