The power transmission infrastructure is the backbone supporting the transmission of electricity from generators to end-consumers, underscoring grid security and reliability. India’s transmission system has evolved through large-scale transmission project buildouts, greater interregional capacity and green energy corridor initiatives. As the country progresses towards fulfilling its commitment of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070, the availability and functioning of power evacuation corridors becomes critical.
As of May 2026, the total length of transmission lines at the 220 kV level and above stood at 508,535 ckt km, comprising 62,574 ckt km (12.30 per cent) at the 765 kV level, 211,027 ckt km (41.50 per cent) at the 400 kV level and 215,559 ckt km (42.39 per cent) at the 230/220 kV level. At the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) level, line length stood at 9,655 ckt km at the ±800 kV level, 9,432 ckt km at the ±500 kV level and 288 ckt km at the ± 320 kV level. In 2025-26, the total transmission line addition was 12,139 ckt km.
As of May 2026, the transformation capacity across AC voltage levels stood at 1,435,541 MVA, which comprised 380,200 MVA at the 765 kV level, 536,148 MVA at the 400 kV level and 519,193 MVA at the 230/220 kV level. Likewise, the aggregate HVDC capacity stood at 33,500 MW, constituting 18,000 MW at ±800 kV level, 13,500 MW at ±500 kV level and 2,000 MVA at ±320 kV level. Further, as on May 2026, the country’s total interregional capacity reached 120,340 MW.
Policy and regulatory development
India’s power transmission segment witnessed multiple policy and regulatory developments that emphasise improving grid stability, reliability and strengthen infrastructure.
In June 2025, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued the fourth amendment to the CERC (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020. The proposed changes noted alignment of interstate transmission system (ISTS) waiver provisions with the government’s notifications, including the provision of waiver for offshore wind projects. The amendment highlighted waivers for renewable energy, hybrid projects, storage, hydro, offshore wind and green hydrogen or ammonia projects.
In December 2025, the Ministry of Power issued amendments to supplementary guidelines dated March 21, 2025 for compensation payment with regard to right of way (RoW) for transmission lines. The amendments were introduced in view of delays observed in the nomination of land valuers by representatives of landowners and in the submission of valuation reports to the authority, that is, the district magistrate. Simultaneous three-valuer system has been introduced with a 21-day timeline to reduce project delays.
In May 2026, issuance of the draft CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the Inter-State Transmission System) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, noted the inclusion of connectivity flexibility and withdrawal relief, flexible access and multi-location renewable energy connectivity, energy storage system norms and technical rules, and financial closure and other reforms.
Likewise, the Cross Border Trade of Electricity (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025, notified in December 2025, aligns cross-border electricity trade regulations with the general network access framework, while streamlining connectivity and transmission access procedures.
In May 2026, the notification on the draft CERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026, to amend the CERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2024, highlighted proposals such as wind-solar projects bid on or after January 1, 2027, and all other projects commissioned on or after January 1, 2029, will be treated at par with general sellers, reducing the concessional treatment currently available to renewable energy generators.
Renewable energy integration
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) recently released the transmission plan for the integration of over 900 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity for the period up to 2035-36. The plan outlines the transmission infrastructure required to support India’s projected increase in electricity demand, with the total installed capacity estimated at 1,121 GW by 2035-36, including around 786 GW from non-fossil sources. As per the plan, the transmission system for 913.7 GW of non-fossil capacity has been planned till 2035-36. The cumulative length of the transmission lines and substation capacity planned under ISTS and intra-state for the integration of additional wind and solar capacity during 2026-27 to 2035-36 has been estimated at 137,500 ckt km and 827,600 MVA respectively, at an estimated cost of Rs 7,933 billion.
As on February 28, 2026, the 275.5 GW of commissioned capacity was supported by the transmission infrastructure. The plan also provides a detailed breakdown of transmission readiness, with over 506 GW of capacity already under implementation, while a further 334 GW is under planning and an additional 73 GW is being considered for future integration, covering ISTS and green energy corridor (GEC) expansions. At the intra-state level, while GEC-II is currently under implementation, a new GEC-III programme has been proposed to enable the evacuation of approximately 134.7 GW of additional renewable capacity, along with 25.2 GW of pumped storage projects, through the development of over 51,000 ckt km of lines and 228,000 MVA of substation capacity.
TBCB update
As on May 2026, a total of 8
6 transmission projects have been awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism. Of the total awarded projects, 43 projects with transmission line length of 20,103 ckt km and transformation capacity of 175,600 MVA were developed by Power Grid Corporation of India (Powergrid) and 43 projects were bagged by private transmission service providers. Likewise, as on May 2026, a total of 79 transmission projects were commissioned through the TBCB route.
Factors such as right‑of‑way disputes and land acquisition issues, sluggish and fragmented approval processes, contracting-bidding and regulatory issues, and roadblocks such as forest, wildlife and environmental clearances have collectively hindered project timelines of ISTS projects in recent years. Hence, the concerned authorities have taken measures to expedite the transmission project execution. The National Committee on Transmission approved standardised implementation timelines in April 2026, for various configurations of ISTS projects for better predictability and coordinated system development.
Technology trends
Emerging technological trends in India’s power transmission segment points towards utilisation of artificial intelligence and digitalisation. The power transmission utilities are integrating such novel technologies to swiftly execute projects and optimise electricity network operations and maintenance. Utilisation of digital platforms, drones and robotics has helped in optimising practices ranging from surveying, route planning to project construction and inspection in development of power transmission infrastructure. Further, incorporation of digital tools such as mobile applications for real-time patrolling, dashboards for decentralised decision-making and internet-of-things enabled sensors for real-time monitoring are gradually redefining power transmission field operations.
One of the key technological trends is the adoption of advanced conductors such as high-temperature low-sag (HTLS) conductors for new and reconductoring projects. Notable deployments of HTLS conductor in India includes Powergrid’s 400 kV Bhiwani-Meerut reconductoring project, Sikar II – Neemrana 400 kV D/C line (twin HTLS), Kethireddypally – AP-41 line (twin HTLS quad conventional towers), among others.
Likewise, advancement of substations from fixed infrastructure to flexible solution is playing a critical role in meeting burgeoning electricity demand in India. The plug-and-play unit of substation is one of the notable features exhibited by new-age micro and mobile substations that fulfils temporary grid-level voltage transformation. Alongside, the power transmission projects are witnessing deployment of gas-insulated substation (GIS) to mitigate issues related to reliability, efficiency and environmental impact.
Challenges and future outlook
The power transmission segment is affected by major challenges such as equipment unavailability, dearth of skilled manpower, price volatility in equipments, etc. This largely impacts project execution strategies. For instance, limited domestic manufacturing of GIS and HVDC systems have hindered instantaneous execution of large-scale transmission projects. Moreover, inadequate training and skill development programmes for field engineers and lack of specialised technical expertise increase the vulnerability of equipment to damage, grid instability, equipment mishandling, delays and cost overruns. To ease these challenges and keep execution of power transmission projects on track, the sector needs a stronger push on indigenisation of key equipments, well‑planned bulk procurement strategies and mandatory training programmes for engineers, technicians and construction crews to help transmission utilities execute complex transmission projects more smoothly and with fewer delays.
The National Electricity Plan (Volume-II: Transmission) for the period 2023–32 envisages that transmission network is likely to reach 0.648 million ckt km by 2032, while the transformation capacity is projected to reach up to 2,345 GVA. Further, the interregional transmission capacity is envisaged to increase from 120 GW (as in May 2026) to 143 GW by 2027 and further to 168 GW by 2032. The transmission plan also strengthens regional energy cooperation through cross-border interconnections and lays emphasis on utilisation of advanced technologies such as DLR (dynamic line rating), hybrid substations, insulated cross arms, advanced FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems) and upgradation of maximum operating voltage of transmission infrastructure to 1200 kV AC.
As per market reports, the power transmission infrastructure is likely to witness a capital expenditure of Rs 9 trillion by 2032, which would benefit the integration of clean energy resources and support power transmission projects that demand high-rated equipments to cater to the growing electricity demand.
Looking ahead, the smooth operation of power transmission infrastructure in India is likely to depend on sustained investments, a robust policy and regulatory framework, as well as timely execution of the allocated transmission projects.
Mohnish Makwana
