look news india
NEW DELHI: India’s plan to address its power shortage crisis by accelerating capacity addition across the value chain is facing a hurdle as 32 transmission projects involving an investment of Rs 44,254 crore are likely to be delayed.
According to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, till April 2024, Power Grid Corporation of India is implementing Rs. 60,439 crore out of 50 major projects. 18 projects worth Rs 29,300 crore are facing setbacks. Eight other projects bid by state-run entities, worth Rs 8,755 crore in total, under the tariff-based competitive bidding route are facing an average delay of 12 months.
Analysts believe that delays in transmission-system projects and supply inefficiencies could lead to a worsening of the country's electricity shortage by 2032. Delays in the implementation of transmission projects will render new generation capacity ineffective.
According to the draft plan of the Central Electricity Authority, the country will spend Rs. 4.75 lakh crore of investment is required including lines, substations and reactive compensation. The plan includes Rs. 3.13 lakh crore for intrastate transmission and about Rs. 1.61 lakh crore for interstate systems. It includes 170 transmission projects with a total estimated cost of over Rs. 1.75 lakh crore.
