By 2032, India plans to have Rs 9.15 lakh crore in investment opportunities in the transmission sector.
The National Electricity Plan or NEP has outlined the addition of 190,000 circuit kilometers of transmission lines to support 600 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity over the next ten years.
The plan incorporates innovative elements like 10 gigawatt offshore wind farms, 47 gigawatt battery energy storage systems, and 30 GW pumped storage plants.
India’s ambitious non-fossil fuel capacity increase and steady electricity supply offer a significant investment opportunity in transmission infrastructure worth over Rs 9.15 lakh crore.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled the National Electricity Plan (Transmission) at a conclave on Indian Power, a detailed plan for achieving the government’s energy transition objectives.
CEA Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad presented a comprehensive power sector development plan, highlighting its growth from 1 GW at Independence to reaching 2053 GW by 2047.
The plan involves cross-border interconnections and addresses the power requirements of green hydrogen and green ammonia manufacturing hubs. It also outlines a transmission system being planned to supply power to the hubs at coastal locations such as Mundra, Kandla, Gopalpur, Paradeep, Tuticorin, Vizag, and Mangalore.
“The expanding renewable energy sector offers promising growth prospects enhancing local manufacturing and R&D investment will open new avenues for innovation and industry development; while improving ease of business, extending ISTS waivers, and strengthening the transmission and power evacuation system will further boost sector growth, creating numerous opportunities for investors and businesses,” said Subhrakant Panda, Immediate Past President, FICCI and Managing Director, Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys.
From its current level of 119 GW, the interregional transmission capacity is expected to rise to 143 GW by 2027 and then to 168 GW by 2032. Along with potential connections with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Transmission Plan also addresses cross-border connections with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar.
