Towards a Resilient Grid

The three-day exhibition and conference, GRIDCON 2025, organized by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) in collaboration with CIGRE-India, began on March 9, 2025. The event kicked off with a grand opening ceremony at the India International Convention & Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, Delhi. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power, Government of India, who was joined by Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy; Mr. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairman of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA); Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance; and Mr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of POWERGRID. The inaugural session also featured a keynote from Dr. Konstantin O. Papailiou, President of CIGRE, followed by a vote of thanks from Mr. Naveen Srivastava, Director of Operations at POWERGRID.

Mr. Manohar Lal highlighted the significant advancements in India’s power sector, tracing its evolution from modest beginnings to its current global standing. He reminisced about 1967 when his village first experienced electric lighting, marking a shift from traditional clay lamps to modern electricity. Despite initial doubts regarding the impact of such changes, he stressed that even a single lamp can symbolize progress in the midst of darkness.

The minister credited the growth of the power sector to collective initiatives, effective policymaking, and the involvement of various stakeholders, including businesses and the public. He underscored the critical role of the power sector in economic development, facilitating industrial growth, and advancing national progress. Looking ahead, Mr. Manohar Lal emphasized that significant expansion in the power sector is essential for realizing India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He called for coordinated efforts among power generation companies, transmission entities, and distribution companies to ensure efficient energy delivery. He drew a compelling analogy, likening transmission lines to arteries in the human body, essential for directing power where it is needed.

The minister also outlined ambitious international cooperation plans, such as a proposed undersea transmission line to Sri Lanka and a significant joint project with the UAE, which will entail a transmission initiative with an estimated investment of Rs 400 billion. He referenced India’s “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative, aimed at enhancing power connectivity across regions.

Addressing infrastructure challenges, Mr. Manohar Lal stressed the necessity for new technologies, improved land acquisition policies, and public support to expedite the expansion of transmission lines. He advocated for land acquisition through consensus rather than imposition to ensure stakeholder satisfaction. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of promoting domestic manufacturing to lessen reliance on imported transmission equipment, reinforcing the “Make in India” vision.

He noted India’s remarkable economic growth, having risen from the 10th largest global economy a decade ago to the 5th position today, with aspirations of becoming the third largest in the near future. He attributed this economic surge to the power sector and highlighted the need to enhance power capacity to sustain growth.

Focusing on sustainable energy, Mr. Manohar Lal underscored the importance of diversifying energy sources, highlighting the transition from traditional thermal power to renewable sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear energy as part of India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. He commended India’s proactive measures in meeting climate targets, positioning it as one of the swiftest achievers among G20 nations. He reiterated the ambitious goal of attaining 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The minister concluded by celebrating the expansion of India’s transmission network, which has grown from 296,000 circuit kilometers in 2014 to an estimated 475,000 circuit kilometers by 2025. He encouraged ongoing investment to meet the projected Rs 9.16 trillion required for the power transmission sector by 2032, urging stakeholders to continue advancing India’s energy infrastructure for sustained economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik expressed gratitude to POWERGRID for organizing GRIDCON 2025, emphasizing its role as a vital platform for discussing sustainability and adaptability. He noted that India is at the forefront of an unprecedented energy transition under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. Over the past decade, India’s energy landscape has transformed, with solar capacity skyrocketing from 2.8 GW in 2014 to over 100 GW recently. The installed renewable energy capacity has surged nearly 200 percent, from 75.5 GW in 2014 to 220 GW today, alongside significant expansion of the transmission network.

India is not only improving its energy security but also setting a global example in clean energy adoption, having achieved 47 percent of its 500 GW target and being well-positioned to meet its goals. The transmission sector must evolve alongside energy generation to support growing renewable capacity and ensure a stable, resilient power grid. With the increasing integration of renewable sources, robust transmission infrastructure is crucial. Given the inherent variability of solar and wind energy, modernization of the grid and large-scale energy storage solutions are essential. The government is actively promoting pumped hydro storage projects and battery storage as integral components for a stable power supply.

India’s current energy storage capacity of 4.86 GW needs to expand to 74 GW by 2032, comprising 27 GW from pumped storage and 47 GW from battery energy storage systems. The National Electricity Plan (NEP) 2023-2032 has been developed to accommodate an anticipated peak demand of 458 GW by 2032, with the transmission network expected to grow from 491,000 circuit kilometers in 2024 to 648,000 circuit kilometers by 2032.

Mr. Naik acknowledged that the power transmission sector globally is facing supply chain challenges due to rising demand for transmission equipment as renewable energy deployment accelerates. He noted that the increased demand for transformers, conductors, and substation equipment necessitates local production to alleviate supply chain constraints.

Mr. Naik reiterated the commitment to growth, revealing an ambitious plan to invest Rs 9.15 trillion by 2032 to improve power transmission. This investment will support the development of new transmission lines and substations, enhancing India’s position in the global power equipment market. He highlighted the need to leverage technology in smart grid visualization solutions, AI, IoT, and predictive analytics for real-time monitoring.

The concept of grid resilience extends to the development of transnational grid interconnections. The “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative aims to harness the diversity of solar energy availability across various regions. The Ministry of Power, in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is addressing bottlenecks in the renewables sector by engaging with stakeholders, including manufacturers, technology providers, and researchers.

Mr. Naik emphasized the pivotal role of POWERGRID, describing it as the backbone of India’s power transmission ecosystem. Currently, it facilitates approximately 45 percent of the total power generated in India through its extensive transmission network. POWERGRID’s interregional transfer capacity stands at 100 GW, representing 84 percent of the national interregional transmission capacity, with a consistent track record of system availability at 99.8 percent.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Naik urged all attendees at GRIDCON 2025 to reaffirm their commitment to building a green, future-ready power transmission system. He expressed optimism that discussions on emerging technologies such as UHVAC, battery energy storage systems, renewable energy integration, green hydrogen plants, undersea cables, and e-mobility would inspire innovative solutions for a sustainable energy future.

Mr. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority, acknowledged the ongoing global energy transition, particularly in India, which has become a focal point for initiatives that expedite this change. India has successfully surpassed 200 GW of renewable energy capacity and aims to reach around 500 GW by 2030, 600 GW by 2032, and potentially 2,000 GW by 2047 or 2050. This ambitious growth will be supported by a mix of technologies, including solar, wind, storage, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

The expansion in generation capacity necessitates significant investment in transmission infrastructure. Mr. Prasad noted that the commissioning of transmission infrastructure is proceeding on schedule, ensuring timely integration of renewable energy capacities and minimizing generation losses. The CEA has already outlined exclusive transmission plans to integrate 500 GW of non-fossil fuels by 2030, with further targets established for 2032 and 2047.

He also addressed the challenges posed by increasing nuclear energy capacity, which is projected to rise from 8 GW to approximately 100 GW by 2047. This expansion, along with 100-150 GW of hydro power capacity, will necessitate the development of an extensive transmission network, particularly in challenging terrains.

Mr. Prasad assured investors in the transmission sector of substantial opportunities, highlighting the need for collaboration among all stakeholders. He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing reliable power supply, especially in rural areas, and the urgency of advancing the establishment of higher voltage transmission lines.

The transition in the sector has seen a shift from 220 kV to 400 kV and 800 kV lines, with plans to establish 1,200 kV lines, the highest voltage level globally. Promoting domestic manufacturing and the “Make in India” initiative is also a priority, with a goal of achieving 100 percent domestic content in transmission infrastructure equipment within the next five to seven years to mitigate supply chain challenges.

In addition, he noted the importance of adopting underground and subsea cables to harness offshore wind resources and establish interconnectors with the global grid. The need for disaster-resilient infrastructure was also highlighted, particularly in light of past experiences with outages and restoration delays.

Looking ahead, the power sector will face various challenges, particularly in integrating variable renewable energy into the grid while ensuring accurate demand forecasting. The current operational framework of the grid must adapt to a more precise 5-minute time block for better predictions of renewable generation. The integration of battery energy storage systems into the grid will be crucial, and its planning must align with transmission strategies to optimize both systems.

Cybersecurity remains a vital concern, given India’s status as the largest synchronous grid in the world. Grid operators need to engage in resource adequacy planning for both generation and transmission over the next decade, presenting a substantial investment opportunity.

Mr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of POWERGRID, opened his address by underscoring the necessity of grid resilience and the importance of collaborative efforts in driving the global energy transition. He emphasized the need for a unified vision to address the challenges faced by the energy sector, particularly under the One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative.

He noted, “POWERGRID is honored to host this international conference-cum-exhibition under the Ministry of Power’s patronage in collaboration with CIGRE India. This event brings together manufacturers, professionals, researchers, and academia from the power system community worldwide to shape the future of resilience, asset management, and digital transformation.”

Mr. Tyagi observed that electricity demand is surging due to rapid electrification across various sectors, including transportation, air conditioning, and industrial processes. The adoption of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and data centers continues to drive electricity consumption higher. Renewable energy now constitutes approximately one-third of the global electricity supply, with solar PV investments outpacing all other sources combined.

To meet this escalating demand, investment in transmission infrastructure is crucial, with a target of $250-$300 billion annually by 2030 to align with net-zero pathways. India boasts an installed capacity of 466 GW and one of the world’s largest synchronized grids, thanks to the efforts of players in the power sector. However, the journey toward energy transition and security remains ongoing, with affordability at the core of the country’s development goals.

Mr. Tyagi highlighted the Indian government’s initiatives to establish a transnational grid interconnection under the OSOWOG initiative, spanning Southeast Asia to the European Union via South Asia, the Middle East, and the African grid. The planned investment in the grid until 2032 exceeds Rs 9 trillion, with POWERGRID committed to ensuring that no renewable power is wasted due to transmission limitations.

POWERGRID is dedicated to keeping the Indian electricity grid technologically advanced, equipping it with modern innovations like multi-circuit towers, efficient conductors, and environmentally friendly transformer oils. The company has successfully commissioned a 1,200 kV test station at Bina and several key ±800 kV HVDC power links, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and stability.

In conclusion, Mr. Tyagi emphasized that GRIDCON 2025 serves as a platform where visions transform into actionable plans. A resilient power grid requires a robust transmission system, underpinned by collaboration and a commitment to sustainability. The time for change is now, and together, we can achieve a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, addressed the role of renewable energy and global partnerships in the energy transition. He noted that solar energy is abundant, sustainable, and increasingly cost-competitive, making it essential for meeting daytime energy needs in developed nations. However, developing countries face unique challenges, often needing to choose between solar electricity, which is available only during the day, and coal-based electricity, which provides continuous power.

Dr. Mathur highlighted recent auctions that have reduced the cost of round-the-clock renewable electricity to Rs 4-Rs 5 per kWh, making it competitive with thermal power tariffs. He identified transmission development as a key bottleneck, often taking longer to construct than solar or battery storage capacity. He proposed that each state designate dedicated land areas for renewable energy projects, which would streamline the planning of transmission infrastructure and facilitate more efficient power transfer.

He expressed eagerness to implement this model in India and share successful strategies for renewable energy integration with the ISA’s 153 member countries. Dr. Mathur emphasized the importance of establishing training centers to equip professionals with practical knowledge on integrating variable renewable energy, addressing challenges such as demand fluctuations.

Dr. Konstantin O. Papailiou, President of CIGRE, highlighted the organization’s mission to advance power system expertise and the importance of addressing global electricity demand, expected to rise significantly by 2030. He emphasized the need for investment in grid infrastructure, forecasting an annual increase from $300 billion to approximately $600 billion by 2030.

Papailiou outlined the necessity of adding substantial new transmission lines to support the energy transition and reduce carbon emissions. He underscored the imperative for governments and industry leaders to communicate the urgency of grid expansion and renewable energy adoption. Attracting and educating the next generation of engineers will be crucial for sustaining this transformation.

Mr. Naveen Srivastava, Director of Operations at POWERGRID, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries for their insightful contributions and highlighted the importance of the event in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. He noted that GRIDCON 2025 has attracted delegates from over 32 countries, showcasing innovations in the sector through numerous selected papers.

The event also features special sessions focused on “Women in Energy” and “Next Generation” topics, providing a platform for the younger generation to engage with experienced professionals in the energy sector.