India achieved 5,077 circuit kilometers (ckm) of power transmission lines between April and December in the financial year (FY) 2025–26, accounting for 47.5% of the cumulative target of 10,696 ckm set for the period, according to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data.

With FY 2025-26 ending in less than two months, transmission line additions are unlikely to meet the full-year target of 15,382 ckm.

The 230 kV/220 kV segment led the additions, contributing 2,325 ckm, or 46% of the total transmission line achievement during the nine months (9M). The state sector accounted for the highest achievement at 2,065 ckm, while the central and joint venture (JV)/private segments added just 240 ckm and 20 ckm, respectively.

The 400 kV segment recorded additions of 1,676 ckm, with the state sector contributing 927 ckm, followed by the central sector with 415 ckm and the JV/private sector with 334 ckm.

In the 765 kV category, the total transmission line achievement stood at 1,076 ckm, all commissioned by the central sector.

Transmission line commissioning picked up in December, helping cumulative additions rise for 9M, even though the month’s achievement was only 1,436 ckm against a target of 3,251 ckm.

No transmission lines were added in the ±800 kV and ±500 kV high voltage direct current segments during 9M.

The state segment accounted for the largest share of transmission line additions, with 2,992 ckm, followed by the central sector with 1,731 ckm. The JV/private sector contributed 354 ckm, mainly in the 400 kV and 230 kV/220 kV categories.

Meanwhile, on January 14, 2026, India’s national power transmission network achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 500,000 ckm of transmission lines (220 kV and above) and 1,407 GVA of transformation capacity (220 kV and above).

The milestone was achieved with the commissioning of the 628 ckm 765 kV transmission line from Bhadla II to the Sikar II substation for the evacuation of renewable energy from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone. With the commissioning of this transmission line, an additional 1,100 MW of power can be evacuated from the renewable energy zones of Bhadla, Ramgarh, and Fatehgarh Solar Power Complex.

Transmission infrastructure constraints have resulted in large-scale curtailment of solar and wind power in renewable energy-rich states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. Among other challenges, supply chain shortages and higher procurement costs resulting from high demand for transformers and other critical transmission components are delaying transmission projects across India.