Substation capacity addition more than doubles in Q1FY26

The quantum of new substation capacity added during Q1 (April to June) of FY26 was more than twice the comparable level in FY25, official statistics suggest.

According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India added 22,190 MVA of new substation capacity (of 220kV or higher) in Q1FY26 that was more than twice the 10,260 MVA during the same quarter of FY25.

However, the performance in Q1FY26 fell considerably short of the planned addition of 48,185 MVA.

Significantly, most of the substation capacity added – at 12,000 MVA – was on the 765kV level, implying addition to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network.

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) made the biggest contribution to the overall Q1FY26 addition with a share of 9,320 MVA, including 9,000 MVA on the 765kV side. The Central PSU commissioned six interconnecting transformers of 765/400kV, 1500 MVA at various substations like Khavda and Navsari in Gujarat, and Fatehgarh in Uttar Pradesh. The entire 9,000 MVA was associated with evacuation schemes for RE power from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Despite the impressive performance by PGCIL, its achievement in Q1FY26 was a far cry from the planned addition of 27,000 MVA.

Private sector entities contributed 4,160 MVA to the transformation capacity addition in Q1FY26, with the entire achievement coming from Adani Energy Solutions Ltd.

State transmission utilities did well to add 8,710 MVA of substation capacity that included 4,085 MVA in the 400kV class. Nevertheless, the actual addition by state utilities in Q1FY26 was just over 50 per cent of the planned addition of 16,785 MVA.

Thanks to the commissioning of significant capacity in the 765kV voltage category, transformation capacity on the ISTS network grew by 12,320 MVA during Q1FY26, outpacing the addition of 9,870 MVA on the intrastate grid.

 

Plan for FY26

During the whole of FY26, the planned substation capacity addition stands at 197,617 MVA. If achieved, this would be the highest annual addition, at least in recent history. For a frame of reference, the planned addition in FY26 would be more than twice the actual achievement of FY25 that stood at 86,433 MVA.  (See table)

Also read:  Substation capacity addition up 22 per cent in FY25

Featured photograph (source: MPPTCL) is for representation only. This report takes into account substations of 220kV or higher only.