Parliamentary Consultative Committee Discusses National Electricity Plan – Transmission

New Delhi: The Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Power was held in New Delhi last evening, chaired by Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal. Members of Parliament from various political parties in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participated in the discussions focused on the National Electricity Plan – Transmission.

Manohar Lal emphasized that a robust power sector is crucial for India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He outlined that the National Electricity Plan (NEP) – Transmission details the necessary transmission infrastructure required from 2023 to 2032 to support the growing electricity demand and generation capacity expansion across the country. He further stated that ensuring the availability of an adequate transmission system is vital for optimizing the utilization of generating capacity, which is a cornerstone of a reliable power network. According to the NEP-Transmission, a planned addition of approximately 1.91 lakh ckm of transmission lines and 1274 GVA of transformation capacity is scheduled for implementation over the ten-year period from 2023 to 2032.

The National Electricity Plan – Transmission, which provides transmission planning until 2031-32, has been prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and was officially released in October 2024. Under Section 3 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the CEA is responsible for formulating the National Electricity Plan in alignment with the National Electricity Policy to ensure an efficient and sustainable power supply.

The meeting also addressed critical issues related to the challenges of Right of Way (RoW) affecting the expansion of the transmission network, the adoption of new transmission technologies to enhance efficiency and grid stability, and cybersecurity measures to safeguard India’s power infrastructure from potential threats.

Several Members of Parliament provided valuable suggestions on improving the implementation of power sector initiatives and schemes. They also commended the Ministry of Power for its efforts in expanding the national transmission network and ensuring a stable power supply.

Manohar Lal concluded the meeting by expressing gratitude to all participants for their insights and recommendations. He directed ministry officials to take appropriate steps to integrate the suggestions made by the Members of Parliament and prioritize the welfare of the people in the execution of power sector initiatives. The discussions at the meeting underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s power transmission infrastructure, ensuring sustainable and reliable electricity access across the nation.