India’s power transmission sector has seen tremendous growth and expansion over the past decade. The government’s focus on improving electricity access across the country has led to increased investment and development of transmission infrastructure. Power transmission companies play a crucial role in evacuating power from generating stations and transmitting it to load centers while ensuring minimal losses.
Let’s look at the top 10 power transmission companies in India making an impact in the sector.
1. Adani Transmission Limited (ATL)
Adani Transmission Limited (ATL) is the transmission and distribution business arm of the Adani Group. ATL is the country’s largest private sector transmission company with a cumulative transmission network of 18,795 ckm, out of which 14,952 ckm is operational and 3,843 ckm is at various stages of construction.
Some key facts about Adani Transmission Limited:
- Present across 9 states – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
- Owns two of India’s longest transmission lines – Mundra-Dehgam line (665 ckm) and Mundra-Mohindergarh line ( approx. 660 ckm).
- Operator of the first HVDC terminal in the private sector – Pole-3 terminal at Mundra, Gujarat.
- pertory of around 40,000 MVA transformation capacity.
With its continuous focus on expansion, ATL is well on track to achieve its target of setting up 20,000 ckm of transmission lines by 2022.
2. Sterlite Power
Sterlite Power is a leading private sector power transmission infrastructure developer and solutions provider with projects covering over 13,700 circuit kms of transmission lines across India and Brazil.
Some key facts about Sterlite Power:
- Owns the country’s first power transmission asset to be commissioned through the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route.
- Owns India’s first private power transmission project spanning three states – Goa-Karnataka Interconnection Project.
- Operator of the first transmission project under TBCB in Brazil – Arcoverde project.
- Has a global portfolio of power conductors, EHV cables and OPGW cables.
With an ambitious growth plan ahead, Sterlite Power is expected to play an instrumental role in bridging the transmission infrastructure gap in India and other developing countries.
3. Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL)
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) is a public-private partnership company that distributes electricity in North and North-West Delhi.
Some key facts about TPDDL:
- Supplies electricity to over 7 million consumers in Delhi through a network of 11kV feeders and low tension lines spanning around 9000 sq. km.
- Operationalized the first State Grid SCM (Smart Grid Project) in India.
- Implemented India’s first fully automated self-healing smart grid project covering 66/11 kV network.
- Distribution loss reduction from 53% to 9% – one of the lowest in the country.
- Awarded ‘Smart Grid Project of the Year’ at India Smart Grid Week in 2020.
With a focus on serving its customers through smart grid technologies and meeting growing power demands, TPDDL continues to strengthen its transmission and distribution infrastructure.
4. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML)
Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) is the licensee for an integrated power distribution, transmission and generation business that serves over 3 million consumers across Mumbai, its suburbs and surrounding areas.
Some key aspects of AEML:
- Operates over 1400 ckm of transmission network in Mumbai at 220kV, 110kV and 22kV levels.
- Owner of Mumbai’s first HVDC substation at Aarey.
- Implements latest technologies like SCADA, unmanned substations, and RF mesh communication for automation.
- Reduction of Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses from 14.46% to 7.15%
- Awarded ‘Excellence in Power Distribution and Supply’ by India Energy Exchange (IEX) in 2021.
AEML continues to strengthen Mumbai’s power infrastructure to support the city’s growing electricity needs through network expansion and modernization.
5. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID)
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) is a state-owned electric utility company. It is responsible for inter-state transmission of electricity in India.
Key facts about POWERGRID:
- Owns and operates about 1,72,192 ckm of transmission lines along with 266 sub-stations (as of Jan 2024).
- Transmits about 50% of total power generated in India.
- Operator of the first 765kV Single Circuit Transmission Line in India (Champa-Kurukshetra).
- Implemented India’s first ±800kV, 6000 MW HVDC Multi Terminal System.
- Ventured into telecom business through POWERGRID Telecom Infrastructure Limited.
As the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of India, POWERGRID continues to drive development of the national grid and growth of power transmission network.
6. Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited
Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited (KPTL) is amongst the leading power transmission EPC companies in India.
Some key facts about KPTL:
- Over 15,000 circuit km of power transmission lines commissioned across India and global markets.
- Executed over 400 substations of up to 400 kV.
- Built India’s first multi-terminal UHVDC transmission system.
- Partner in the establishment of South Asia’s first cross border power transmission interconnection – India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
- First Indian transmission company to win 765 kV power project in India through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB).
With advanced expertise and experience under its belt, KPTL remains at the forefront in the competitive EPC transmission market.
7. KEC International Limited
KEC International Limited is a global infrastructure EPC company which also has a presence in power transmission and distribution.
Some highlights about KEC International’s power transmission business:
- Erected over 22,000 ckm of EHV transmission lines up to 765 kV.
- Partner in establishing India’s first 400kV GIS substation.
- Executed India’s first 400kV AIS substation in Yangon, Myanmar and first GIS substation in Bangladesh.
- Won several prestigious orders like the Pugalur – Trichur HVDC project.
- Ventured into the Brazilian transmission market through two project wins.
KEC International continues to capitalize on power transmission opportunities in India and overseas markets supported by its domain expertise.
8. Techno Electric and Engineering Company Limited (TEECL)
Techno Electric and Engineering Company Limited (TEECL) is a leading power generation, transmission and distribution enterprise in the eastern region of India.
Key aspects of TEECL’s power transmission business:
- Owners of the first independence power transmission project in Jharkhand through TBCB route.
- Constructed and maintaining 400kV D/C Quad line passing through 3 states on build-own-operate-maintain basis.
- Executed EHV substation projects up to 400kV for PGCIL and SEBs.
- Set up 220kV and 132kV transmission links to evacuate power from its own and customer power plants.
- Ventured into relay panel manufacturing through a subsidiary.
Leveraging its private sector agility and expertise, TEECL has grown into an admired power transmission player in east and northeast India.
9. Essel Infraprojects Limited
Essel Infraprojects Limited (EIL) is the infrastructure development arm of the Essel Group. It develops power T&D networks on build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis.
Salient aspects of EIL’s power transmission portfolio:
- Owns India’s first BOOT transmission asset – 414 km long WRSS XXI transmission project.
- Owns and operates over 5,100 ckm of transmission lines ranging from 132kV to 400kV.
- Partner in South Asia’s first cross-border BOO transmission interconnector between Bheramara (Bangladesh) and Baharampur (India).
- Has the distinction of owning and operating the longest 400kV D/C transmission line (677 ckm).
- Ventured into renewables transmission with the Pavagada Solar Park transmission system.
EIL’s pioneering BOOT model has enabled implementation of critical transmission systems that support India’s power needs.
10. Tata Projects Limited
Tata Projects Limited is one of the fastest growing infrastructure companies in India with expertise across transmission, distribution, substation and rural electrification projects.
Notable achievements of Tata Projects in power transmission:
- Nationwide presence with projects covering over 24 states and union territories.
- Executed India’s first 400 kV GIS substation at Magarwada.
- Built and upgraded over 15,000 ckm of EHV transmission lines and 70 EHV substations.
- Won several major contracts from PGCIL, SEBs and private utilities.
- Ventured into Sri Lanka, Nepal and Africa for transmission line projects.
With its extensive track record and capabilities, Tata Projects continues to be a partner-of-choice for power transmission assignments in India and overseas.
Conclusion
The power transmission network forms the critical link between electricity generating units and end consumers. As India continues its journey towards ensuring power for all, transmission infrastructure development needs to keep pace with increasing power generation capacities. The companies discussed above have played a significant role in creating robust transmission highways and substation facilities that evacuate and deliver electricity across the country.
While public sector entities like POWERGRID drive expansion of the national grid, private players are also increasingly contributing through new project philosophies like BOOT and investments in new technologies. Diverse business models, competitive spirit and technical expertise within the transmission industry bodes well for building India’s electricity backbone. Going forward, the focus on renewables integration, modernization and automation will open up new opportunities in this sector.
FAQs
What are the key challenges faced by power transmission companies in India?
Some key challenges faced by power transmission companies in India include – delays in project execution, right of way issues, funding constraints, variability in power supply, aggregation losses, outdated technologies and lack of automation.
What is the difference between power transmission and power distribution?
Power transmission refers to the bulk transfer of electrical power over long distances at high voltages. Power distribution is the final stage of delivering electricity to end consumers through a network of distribution lines and transformers.
How are power transmission projects awarded in India?
Power transmission projects are traditionally awarded to companies by central and state utilities. Recently, some projects are also being bid out on a tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) model through a transparent process.
What is the importance of technology for power transmission companies?
Adoption of newer technologies like High Voltage DC lines, GIS substations, phasor measurement units, fault recorders, SCADA, etc. helps transmission companies to improve the performance, monitoring and reliability of their networks.
What is the outlook for investments in India’s power transmission sector?
The government aims to achieve ‘power for all’. This would necessitate massive investments in power transmission in order to connect new generation capacities. The National Electricity Plan estimates Rs 2.6 lakh crores of power transmission investments during 2017-2022.
