India needs ₹10 lakh crore in power transmission by 2032: CEA

The National Electricity Plan-II of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates that India will require over ₹10 lakh crore investment in transmission infrastructure to meet its power demand by 2032.

The national power regulator estimates an expenditure of ₹4,25,222 crore for the implementation of additional transmission systems in the country during the period 2022-27. That is based on an estimated installed electricity generation capacity projection of 669 gigawatts (GW) and the projected peak electricity demand of around 296 GW by 2026-27.

The 2022-27 period will require an addition of 1,14,687 Ckm (circuit kilometres) of transmission lines and 7,76,330 MVA (Megavolt Ampere) of transformation capacity (220 kV and above voltage levels). In addition, 1,000 MW of HVDC bi-pole capacity has to be added during 2022-27. With the planned addition, the length of transmission lines and transformation capacity in substations (220 kV and above voltage level) would become 5,71,403 ckm and 18,47,280 MVA respectively. The inter-regional transmission capacity addition planned during 2022-27 is 30,690 MW, an increase from 1,12,250 MW during 2021-22 to 1,42,940 MW by the end of 2026-27.

CEA estimates an expenditure of ₹4,90,920 crore for the additional transmission system in the country during 2027-32. That is based on projections like peak electricity demand of 388 GW and an installed generating capacity of 997 GW by 2031-32. About 76,787 ckm of
transmission lines and 4,97,855 MVA of transformation capacity in the substations (220 kV and above voltage level) are planned to be added in 2027-32. In addition, 32,250 MW of HVDC bi-pole capacity is also planned to be added during 2027-32. With the planned addition, the length of transmission lines and transformation capacity in sub-stations (220 kV and above voltage level) would become 6,48,190 ckm and 23,45,135 MVA, respectively. The HVDC bi-pole capacity including back-to-back capacity would increase to 66,750 MW by 2031-32.

The CEA says the transmission system for evacuation of power from the RE potential zones has been planned, considering a BESS (battery storage system) capacity of 47.2 GW during 2027-32, which will reduce the requirement of the transmission system and increase its utilisation. Several inter-regional transmission corridors, with a length of 24,600 MW, have been planned during 2027-32 and inter-regional transmission capacity is likely to increase to 1,67,540 MW during that period. Additional electricity demand on account of green hydrogen/green ammonia production can grow to around 70.5 GW by the same period.