Eninrac Insights: CTUIL’s Expanding Role in Powering India’s Transmission Future

Eninrac Insights: CTUIL’s Expanding Role in Powering India’s Transmission Future

In a powerful commentary, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mittal, Senior Director at Eninrac Consulting, highlights the critical role of the Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd. (CTUIL) in shaping India’s electricity transmission landscape amid soaring energy demands and ambitious renewable energy targets.

India’s transmission infrastructure has evolved significantly, with CTUIL, operational since 2021, serving as the nodal agency for all inter-state transmission planning and coordination. The commentary outlines CTUIL’s mandate to ensure seamless power evacuation through the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), aligning closely with agencies like CEA, Power Grid Corporation, CERC, and regional dispatch centers.

Mr. Mittal notes that peak demand is expected to reach 270–275 GW in summer 2025, compared to 230 GW in 2024, doubling from 135 GW just a decade ago. In response, CTUIL is identifying and upgrading transmission corridors for both conventional and renewable sources.

Key highlights include:

• Adoption of RTM and TBCB models for infrastructure implementation.

• Introduction of 5-year rolling plans, aligned with India’s 2030, 2035, and 2047 renewable goals.

• An estimated ₹10 lakh crore investment requirement in the next five years.

• Upcoming CERC amendments to General Network Access (GNA) to bifurcate line capacity by solar/non-solar hours.

Despite structural clarity, the sector continues to face executional hurdles such as land acquisition delays, public resistance, and material availability challenges. To address this, CTUIL issues planning reports annually in March and interim updates in September, along with a biennial communication plan to safeguard data and teleprotection systems.

Mr. Mittal emphasizes, “CTUIL's expanded responsibilities are not only timely but critical in ensuring India’s transmission sector remains ahead of its growing energy curve. The ongoing policy and infrastructure reforms will be pivotal in meeting our national electricity goals.”

Eninrac remains committed to delivering strategic insights and tracking reforms that shape the future of India’s energy ecosystem. Stay tuned for the next expert commentary exploring India’s transmission line capacity growth and optimization opportunities.

About Eninrac

Eninrac is a leading consulting and research firm delivering strategic intelligence for the infrastructure and energy sectors.