India's National Power Grid Assessment and Expansion Plan
The Ministry of Power provided a comprehensive assessment of India's national power grid infrastructure, highlighting the National Electricity Plan (Volume-II: Transmission) notified in 2024 to strengthen transmission infrastructure in line with growing electricity demand. The plan outlines transmission system requirements for 2023–2032, accounting for projected generation capacity additions and anticipated growth in electricity demand across emerging sectors including electric mobility, data centres, and nationwide industrial expansion.
Transmission Infrastructure Targets
The transmission plan targets a projected peak electricity demand of 388 GW by 2032. The network is planned to expand from 5.09 lakh circuit kilometers (ckm) as of June 2026 to 6.48 lakh ckm by 2032, while transformation capacity is projected to increase from 1,478 GVA to 2,345 GVA. Inter-regional transmission capacity is planned to grow from 120 GW to 168 GW by 2032.
Recent Capacity Additions
During the last three years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26), significant capacity augmentation has been achieved. A total of 35,172 ckm of transmission lines (220 kV and above) has been added, comprising 15,944 ckm in the Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) and 19,228 ckm in the Intra State Transmission System (InSTS). Year-wise breakdown shows 14,203 ckm in 2023-24, 8,830 ckm in 2024-25, and 12,139 ckm in 2025-26.
Transformation capacity added during the same period totals 270,174 MVA, with 144,060 MVA in ISTS and 126,114 MVA in InSTS. Year-wise additions were 70,728 MVA in 2023-24, 86,433 MVA in 2024-25, and 113,013 MVA in 2025-26.
Grid Modernization and Renewable Integration
Advanced grid support technologies including Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs), Synchronous Condensers (SynCONs), and other Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices are being deployed to enhance voltage stability and improve system strength. Measures for renewable energy integration include establishment of Regional Energy Management Centres (REMCs) for renewable forecasting and real-time grid management, along with implementation of Automatic Generation Control (AGC) and Ancillary Services (SRAS/TRAS) for frequency regulation.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
As of June 30, 2026, India's installed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity with capacity greater than 1 MWh stands at 2,927.85 MW / 8,660.20 MWh. State-wise deployment includes: Delhi (30 MW/50 MWh), Andaman & Nicobar (16 MW/8 MWh), Gujarat (218.25 MW/796.4 MWh), Lakshadweep (0.5 MW/1.4 MWh), Chhattisgarh (40 MW/120 MWh), Karnataka (75 MW/150 MWh), Rajasthan (1,073 MW/3,792 MWh), Uttar Pradesh (0.6 MW/3 MWh), Bihar (70.5 MW/282 MWh), and West Bengal (4 MW/6.4 MWh). Major projects include Adani Merchant Sale BESS in Gujarat (1,200 MW/3,370 MWh), ACME Merchant Sale BESS in Rajasthan (800 MW/3,200 MWh), and Juniper Merchant Sale BESS in Rajasthan (250 MW/500 MWh).
Cybersecurity Measures
Cyber security strengthening includes the establishment of Computer Security Incident Response Team – Power (CSIRT-Power) in April 2023 for coordinating, reporting, and responding to cyber security incidents in the power sector. Funding under Power System Development Fund (PSDF) has been approved for establishing a Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Network Operations Centre (NOC) to enhance cyber security monitoring and incident response. Regular training programs, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives are conducted in collaboration with IITs, Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), and other institutions.
Grid Resilience Initiatives
The government has initiated measures to enhance resilience, reliability, and security of the national grid. A Task Force on Cyclone Resilient Robust Electricity Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in Coastal Areas has recommended comprehensive measures including enhanced transmission planning based on higher contingency criteria, Critical Infrastructure Protection Framework, mapping of T&D infrastructure in cyclone-affected zones, ring or mesh distribution network design, emergency restoration systems, mobile substations, mobile DG sets, digitalization of power system assets, deployment of distributed energy resources, standardization of energy-efficient equipment, and use of UAVs/drones for inspection and monitoring.
Cyber resilience is strengthened through round-the-clock monitoring via SOC and NOC at CSIRT-Power and GRID-INDIA, with additional monitoring by CERT-IN and NCIIPC. Periodic Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VA/PT) of IT and OT infrastructure is conducted alongside continuous capacity building to maintain preparedness against evolving cyber threats.