The total length of transmission lines at the voltage level of 220 KV and above in the country is 2,74,588 (circuit kilometers) and the total capacity of sub-stations of the transmission system at 220 KV and above voltage level is 473216 MVA as on 31.03.2013.
The transmission lines are allowed to be loaded to their capacity in accordance with the code/regulations laid down by the respective Electricity Regulatory Commission i.e. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission in case of Inter-State Transmission System and the State Electricity Regulatory Commission of the respective State in case of transmission lines of Intra-State.
As far as Inter-State Transmission System is concerned, presently there is no constraint for transfer of long term allocated power from various generating stations to the beneficiary States. For the short term and power exchange transactions, transmission constraints may occur in different parts of the grid at different time depending on the volume of trade.
Power System Development Fund (PSDF) has been constituted vide Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Regulations, 2010, which inter-alia may also be utilized for additional transmission capacity for reducing congestion. As per the provisions of PSDF Regulations, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has appointed the members of managing committee for administration of PSDF which would be utilized as per the schemes/activities scrutinized/prioritized by the committee. As on date, no disbursement has been made from PSDF for funding of any scheme.
The surplus power from the States can be transferred to a power deficit State through the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) from the source of supply depending on the Available Transfer Capacity (ATC) between the point of supply and point of drawal. Open Access in transmission (introduced by the Central Government through Electricity Act, 2003), trading mechanism and Power Exchange in accordance with the relevant regulations notified by CERC facilitate this process. National Grid is in place for evacuation of power from generating sources located in different regions in the country and facilitating transfer of power from surplus to deficit regions. In addition, licenses have been granted for trading of power. Power exchanges have also been set up for facilitating transfer of power from surplus to deficit States. The surplus power available with the States is also supplied to other needy and desirous States under bilateral arrangements.
Electricity is a concurrent subject. Accordingly, the responsibility for supply of electricity, i.e. distribution of power, lies with the concerned State Government / Power Utilities in the State. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the concerned States to assess and plan for adequate availability of power including import of power and accordingly seek inter-regional/ inter-state transmission access from the Central Transmission Utility/Regional Load Despatch Centre under the provisions of Open Access laid down in the Electricity Act, 2003 and relevant regulations notified by CERC. Government of India only supplements the efforts of the State Governments by establishing power plants and bulk power transmission system in Central Sector through Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs). Government has also advised States to tie up for procurement of power through competitive bidding to meet their requirement, based on their anticipated demand supply scenario.
This information was given by MoS (I/C) Power Sh. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in the Rajya Sabha today.