Government to Allocate Rs 9.1 Lakh Crore for Electricity Network Expansion
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New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Union Ministry of Power has outlined a strategy to invest Rs 9.12 lakh crore to enhance power transmission infrastructure throughout the country by 2031-32, according to Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik during a session in the Rajya Sabha.
As per the National Electricity Plan (Transmission), an addition of 1.91 lakh kilometres (km) of transmission lines and 1274 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA) of transformation capacity is projected (at 220 kV and above voltage levels) within the decade spanning 2022-23 to 2031-32. Furthermore, 33.25 GW of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) bi-pole links are also in the pipeline, the minister stated.
The plan seeks to elevate the inter-regional transmission capacity to 143 GW by 2026-27 and further to 168 GW by 2031-32, up from the current 119 GW.
The strategy also emphasizes new technological options in transmission, cross-border interconnections, and private sector involvement in the transmission domain.
This Transmission Plan offers insights to Electricity Generators, Equipment Manufacturers, Transmission Service Providers (TSP), and investors regarding the growth potential within the Transmission Sector.
The National Electricity Plan (Transmission) additionally encompasses the existing, ongoing, and proposed interconnections with neighboring nations such as Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
In another written response, the minister revealed that currently, 28 hydroelectric projects (HEP) totaling 13,997.5 MW and five Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) amounting to 6,050 MW are under construction in the country.
Detailed project reports for 28 HEPs, summing up to 19,460 MW, and four PSPs totaling 4,100 MW have received approval from the Central Electricity Authority.
He noted that 11 HEPs amounting to 8,036 MW and 44 PSPs aggregating to 60,050 MW are currently under Survey & Investigation (S&I).
Currently, 29,200 MW of coal-based capacity is under construction, 18,400 MW of capacity has been awarded, and 47,240 MW of potential capacity is being reviewed, he added. The minister further reported that as of October 31, a total of 1,27,050 MW of renewable energy capacity is underway, while 89,690 MW is in the bidding phase.
