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FY25 Set to Record Lowest ISTS Transmission Line Addition in Recent History
Mar 17, 2025
The current fiscal year (FY25) is on track to record the lowest annual addition of transmission lines on the Interstate Transmission System (ISTS), according to the latest data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
During April 2024 to February 2025, only 2,618 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines (220kV or higher) were added to the ISTS grid. With just one month remaining in the fiscal year, it is unlikely that FY25 will surpass 4,671 ckm, the previous lowest addition recorded in FY23.
Key Highlights
- ISTS Transmission Line Addition at a Multi-Year Low
- 2,618 ckm added in the first 11 months of FY25.
- The lowest previous addition was 4,671 ckm in FY23.
- FY25 is set to become the worst-performing year in terms of ISTS expansion.
- Intrastate Transmission System (InSTS) Performing Better
- 4,262 ckm of transmission lines were added within state grids during the same period.
- Major Shortfall in Planned Targets
- Central Government Entities (led by PGCIL):
- Target: 4,118 ckm
- Achieved: 1,948 ckm (47?hievement rate)
- Private Sector Developers (TBCB Projects):
- Target: 1,586 ckm
- Achieved: 812 ckm (51?hievement rate)
- Central Government Entities (led by PGCIL):
The Right of Way (RoW) issue remains a major bottleneck for ISTS projects, particularly for transmission infrastructure meant for evacuating renewable energy (RE) power. Large-scale renewable energy assets are located in remote areas, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan, where transmission corridors must pass through ecologically sensitive zones, including forests and habitats of endangered species.
Cumulative Transmission Network Status
As of February 28, 2025, India's total ISTS transmission network stood at 213,608 ckm, making up 43.4% of the country’s overall transmission infrastructure (ISTS + InSTS: 492,424 ckm).
The interregional power transfer capacity remains unchanged at 1,18,740 MVA, the same as recorded on March 31, 2024.
The stagnation in transmission expansion, especially on the ISTS side, could pose significant challenges for India's renewable energy integration and long-term power sector growth.