Initiatives to achieve uninterrupted power supply across the country – EQ

In Short : Achieving uninterrupted power supply requires strengthening generation capacity, modernizing transmission networks, and improving distribution efficiency. Investments in renewable energy, storage systems, smart grids, and grid automation help balance demand and supply. Policy reforms, digital monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades reduce outages and losses, ensuring reliable electricity access across urban and rural regions while supporting economic growth and energy security.

In Detail : Electricity being a concurrent subject, supply and distribution of electricity to consumers is within the purview of the respective State Government/ distribution utility.

Rule (10) of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, provides that the distribution licensee shall supply 24×7 power to all consumers. However, the Commission may specify lower hours of supply for some category of consumers. The Rules are applicable for all States/UTs and for all areas including urban and rural areas.

Government of India has taken following initiatives to achieve uninterrupted power supply across the country:

(i) 2,96,388 MW of generation capacity have been added since 2014, transforming our country from power deficit to power sufficient. The total installed generation capacity is 5,20,511 MW in January, 2026.

(ii) 2,12,325 circuit kilometre (ckm) of transmission lines, 8,98,375 MVA of Transformation capacity and 84,390 MW of Inter-Regional capacity has been added since 2014.

(iii) In the distribution sector, projects worth ₹1.85 lakh Cr. were executed under schemes of DDUGJY, SAUBHAGYA and IPDS wherein 2,927 new sub-stations were added, 3,965 existing sub-stations were upgraded, 6,96,302 Distribution Transformers were installed, Feeder separation of 7,833 mixed load feeders was executed and 8.4 Lakh Circuit Kilometer (CKm) of HT and LT lines have been added/ upgraded. The DDUGJY, SAUBHAGYA and IPDS schemes stand closed as on 31.03.2022.

(iv) Distribution infrastructure works worth Rs. 2.83 lakh crore have been sanctioned for loss reduction infrastructure and smart metering works under the RDSS to supplement the efforts of States to help distribution utilities in providing quality and reliable supply of power.

As a result of the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Power, the State Governments and distribution utilities, Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) Losses have reduced from 21.91% in FY21 to 15.04% in FY25. Reduction in AT&C losses improves the finances of the utilities, which will enable them to better maintain the system and buy power as per requirements, thus benefitting the consumers. Further, the availability of power supply in rural areas has increased from 12.5 Hours in FY 2015 to 22.6 Hours in FY 2025. The power supply in urban areas has increased to 23.6 Hours in FY 2025.

(c): Financial liabilities of State distribution utilities are the contingent liabilities of the respective State Governments and need to be recognized as such. However, Government of India has been supporting the distribution utilities to improve their financial and operational performance through various initiatives. Some of the key initiatives taken are as under:

• Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has been launched in the year 2021 with the objective of improving the quality and reliability of supply of power through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector. The release of funds under the scheme is linked to performance of the States/ distribution utilities against financial and operational parameters. Further, the smart metering works would help the utilities to reduce their aggregate technical and commercial losses through accurate energy accounting. The State wise details of fund released under RDSS are placed at Table 1.
• Additional borrowing space of 0.5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has been made available to State Governments, which is conditional upon them undertaking specific reforms in the power sector including financial performance of the distribution utilities.
• Additional Prudential Norms have been laid down for sanctioning of loans to State-owned power utilities based on performance of power distribution utilities against prescribed conditions.
• Rules for implementation of Fuel and Power Purchase Costs Adjustment (FPPCA) and cost-reflective tariff have been framed so as to ensure that all prudent costs for supply of electricity are passed through.
• Rules and Standard Operating Procedure have been issued for proper subsidy accounting and their timely payment.

The transmission systems are planned in advance, and the National Grid is strengthened on a continuous basis, including to facilitate seamless integration of growing RE capacity, across the country. As of January 2026, the RE Capacity commissioned is around 263 GW.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing Green Energy Corridor (GEC) as Intra-State Transmission projects scheme in ten States namely Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in two phases, i.e. GEC-I and GEC-II for evacuation of 44 GW of RE. Out of which, 26 GW of RE is integrated. Further, Intra-State and Inter-State Transmission Systems have been planned to integrate over 500 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity by 2030 and over 600 GW of RE capacity by 2032 (Including GEC-I & II)

Under National Electricity Plan (NEP) (Volume-II Transmission), the transmission network (220kV and above) is projected to expand to 6.48 lakh circuit kilometer (ckm) with transformation capacity increasing to 2,345 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA) by 2031-32. The inter-regional transmission capacity is planned to increase from 120 GW as on January 2026 to 168 GW by the year 2032.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) through the “Connectivity and General Network Access to the Inter-State Transmission System (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025” has introduced solar-hour and non-solar-hour connectivity, enabling optimal use of transmission infrastructure and promoting hybrid renewable projects combining solar, wind and Battery Storage Energy Storage System (BESS).

Further, Ministry of Power is administering a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for setting up 13,850 MWh of BESS capacity with budgetary support of Rs. 3,760 Cr. The objective of the scheme is to deploy BESS for the integration of larger amount of RE. Additionally, in June, 2025, VGF scheme for development of 30 GWh of BESS capacity was approved by this Ministry for support through Power System Development Fund (PSDF).

Additionally, use of advanced Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices such as Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and Synchronous Condenser are considered to address dynamic grid requirements, including reactive power compensation, inertia support, and enhancement of short-circuit strength, especially in the context of rising renewable energy integration.

Table 1

State/ UT wise Details of funds released under RDSS

(Amount in Rs. Cr.)

This Information was given by The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Shri Shripad Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.