In September 2024, private sector developers Sterlite Power and Renew Transmission Ventures contributed 410 ckm of transmission lines to India’s Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), marking their first addition to the ISTS network in FY25, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
Sterlite Power commissioned 223 ckm of lines, including the 400kV double-circuit Padghe-Kharghar line (140 ckm) in Maharashtra, as part of its ISTS-TBCB project under “Mumbai Urja Marg Ltd.” Similarly, Renew Transmission Ventures added a 187-ckm 400kV double-circuit line from Gadag Pooling Station to Narendra (New) substation in Karnataka, part of its ISTS-TBCB project through “Gadag Transmission Ltd.”
The total ISTS transmission line additions in H1 FY25 reached 815 ckm, with PGCIL having contributed 405 ckm in August 2024. However, this falls short of the targeted 8,515 ckm by over 60%.
For FY25, a total of 16,667 ckm of transmission lines are planned, but with only 3,308 ckm added so far, the achievement stands at less than 20%. Private sector entities are expected to add 2,289 ckm in FY25, but only 410 ckm have been contributed in H1.
As of September 30, 2024, India’s total transmission network spans 4,88,852 ckm, with 42% comprising 220kV/230kV lines and 43% consisting of 400kV lines.