Southern transmission capacity hits new peak at 5.9K MW

Electricity transmission capacity to southern states has touched 5,900 MW since May 2014, a growth of 71 per cent. It is a record addition because since Independence, only 3,450 MW transmission capacity was added to the southern region. Now, the government is targeting to triple this in the next three years to 18,000 MW in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Telengana, Karnataka and Puducherry. The government has drawn up a special plan to assist states in providing 24×7 electricity to every consumer in the country. According to a top official in the Power Ministry, ¨Transmission capacity will be augmented through competitively bid projects estimated at Rs.2 lakh crore, thus reducing power cuts and ensuring affordable power for all.¨ Further, the Centre has also improved the inter-regional transmission system for transfer of long-term allocated power from various states.