Electricity Regulator Notifies National Electricity Plan For Transmission

The Central Electricity Authority has notified the National Electricity Plan for Transmission, outlining the country's transmission, transformation, and HVDC Bi-pole capacity plans for the periods 2022-2027 and 2027-2032. This plan is a crucial step towards ensuring a reliable and efficient electricity transmission system in India.

The plan is in accordance with the National Electricity Policy, covering review of the period 2017-22, detailed plan for the period 2022-27 and perspective plan for the period 2027-32.

As per the plan, during the period 2022-2027, India aims to add 1,14,687 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines, 7,76,330 mega volt-ampere (MVA) of transformation capacity, and 1,000 mega watts (MW) of high voltage direct current (HVDC) bi-pole capacity. The estimated investment required for this period is around Rs 4.25 lakh crore.

For the period 2027-2032, the plan envisages an addition of 76,787 ckm of transmission lines, 4,97,855 MVA of transformation capacity, and 32,250 MW of HVDC bi-pole capacity at an estimated investment of Rs 4.90 lakh crore.

The National Electricity Plan is a comprehensive plan that outlines the country's electricity demand, generation, transmission, and distribution plans. The CEA is entrusted with the responsibility to prepare the National Electricity Plan for generation and transmission capacity once in five years. The plan takes into account various factors, including economic growth, population growth, and technological advancements.

The plan on generation was notified in 2023. The CEA has stated that in future it will ensure that the NEP is present much before the start of the plan.

According to the Ministry of Power, the National Electricity Plan aims to promote a sustainable and secure electricity system, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan also emphasises the need for a flexible and resilient transmission system that can adapt to changing electricity demand patterns.

The plan states that government is working towards major issues faced in laying the transmission infrastructure, such as Right-of-way and forest clearances. And also working on latest technologies to increase the efficiency of existing infrastructure, while laying the latest infrastructure.