Commentary from Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mittal – Senior Director, Eninrac
India's power transmission landscape has seen significant progress in the financial year 2024-25, marked by substantial increases in transmission capacity additions across various voltage levels. An infographic prepared by Eninrac Consulting provides a detailed overview of transmission developments up to March 2025, offering insights into regional and national capacity expansions.
During the 2024-25 period, the number of commissioned projects has nearly doubled compared to the previous year. Up until January 2025, a total of 88 projects were completed, with a combined line length of 6327 circuit kilometers. By February, 97 projects were completed, extending the line length to 6880 circuit kilometers. The fiscal year concluded with 133 projects and a total line length of 8830 circuit kilometers, underscoring the rapid pace of infrastructure development.
A significant highlight of this period is the surge in 765 KV transmission lines, which experienced a marked increase from 918 circuit kilometers in October 2024 to 2158 circuit kilometers by March 2025. This uptrend reflects the successful commissioning of several key projects, particularly in December 2024, which accounted for a substantial portion of the additions. The 765 KV line has proven advantageous due to its capacity to transfer nearly twice the power of 400 KV lines, optimizing the power flow across critical corridors.
One noteworthy advancement is the upgrade of the Wardha Aurangabad transmission line from 400 KV to 1200 KV. This 696-kilometer circuit, now capable of transferring 6000 to 8000 megawatts, serves as a strategic boost for pump storage systems (PSPs), particularly in regions facing corridor constraints. This upgrade is expected to mitigate the need for extensive new transmission corridors, thereby reducing capital expenditure and land acquisition challenges.
In terms of stakeholder contributions, state utilities have dominated capacity additions, outpacing both central and private sector entities. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) recorded the highest circuit kilometer additions with 1896 circuit kilometers as of January 2025. This was followed by further expansions in February and March, bringing PGCIL’s total line length additions to over 2500 circuit kilometers.
The infographic also sheds light on the increasing prominence of 220 KV lines, which gained momentum in February 2025, adding 2958 circuit kilometers to the national grid. The shift towards higher capacity lines indicates a strategic pivot towards more efficient power transmission and asset utilization.
For a comprehensive understanding of the transmission sector’s ongoing developments and forward-looking insights, stay connected with Eninrac Consulting. The upcoming commentary will delve into emerging trends and projected capacity additions for the 2025-26 period.
For detailed updates and forward-looking insights into India’s power transmission sector, stay connected with Eninrac and Omnicore. The next commentary will delve into the current status and future prospects of India’s transmission line capacity.
