Union power minister Manohar Lal announced the finalization of the National Electricity Plan (NEP) for the period 2023 to 2032 at a press conference in New Delhi on September 23, 2024. The NEP aims to develop central and state transmission systems to meet the projected peak power demand of 458 GW by 2032, with a total project outlay of Rs 9 trillion.
Key highlights of NEP 2032 include the expansion of the transmission network from 0.49 million circuit kilometres (ckm) in 2024 to 0.65 million ckm by 2032. Substation capacity will also be significantly increased from 1,251 gigavolt amperes (GVA) to 2,342 GVA. Additionally, nine high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems with a combined transfer capacity of 33.25 GW will be added, nearly doubling the existing capacity.
Interregional transfer capacity is set to rise from the current 119 GW to 168 GW by 2032. The plan also includes evacuating 335 GW of power, including 280 GW from renewable sources, through the interstate transmission system (ISTS) by 2030, with 50 GW of projects already approved.
As part of the government’s 100-day achievement, transmission schemes supporting 50.9 GW of capacity have been approved, with a total cost of Rs 606.76 billion. These schemes will evacuate renewable energy from states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, supporting green hydrogen, ammonia projects, and pumped storage.
The NEP also focuses on adding 39 GW of pumped storage project (PSP) capacity by 2030, addressing grid stability needs. Additionally, the power ministry has prioritized thermal power, with 28.4 GW of new coal and lignite-based capacity under construction and further expansion planned.