India has introduced a standardised set of timelines for power transmission projects in a bid to better coordinate grid expansion with generation and distribution infrastructure, as the country seeks to accelerate the integration of renewable energy into its power system.
The timelines, issued by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), are intended to bring greater alignment between generation projects, transmission networks and last-mile distribution infrastructure, reducing the risk of delays that can leave new power capacity waiting for grid connectivity.
According to information published on the CEA website, the National Committee on Transmission (NCT), at its 40th meeting held on April 15, 2026, approved standardised implementation timelines for different configurations of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects. The move is aimed at improving predictability and supporting coordinated development of the country's power network.
Under the advisory, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission projects must be completed within a maximum period of 54 months. A 765-kilovolt substation, meanwhile, should be built within three years.
| Transmission Work | Implementation Timeline (Months) |
|---|---|
| Greenfield AIS/GIS/Hybrid Sub-station (765kV or 400kV) | 36 |
| Greenfield AIS/GIS/Hybrid Sub-station (220kV or 132kV) | 24 |
| HVDC system (Line + S/s) | 48–54 |
| 765kV D/c line (Length < 100 km) | 30 |
| 765kV D/c line (Length > 100 km) | 36 |
| 400kV D/c line (Length < 50 km) | 24 |
| 400kV D/c line (Length > 50 km) | 30 |
| 220kV or 132kV line | 24 |
| Augmentation at Existing AIS Sub-station (400kV and above) | 30 |
| Augmentation at Existing AIS Sub-station (220/230kV and below) | 24 |
| Augmentation at Existing GIS/Hybrid Sub-station (132kV and above) | 30 |
The authority said projects located in difficult terrain may be granted additional time. For projects in hilly or challenging areas in the North Eastern Region, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, an additional six to 12 months may be added to the prescribed timelines on a need or merit basis.
The advisory also addresses projects that involve multiple types of transmission infrastructure.
“In case of a scheme having combination of the above-mentioned types of projects, the qualifying time schedule of the activity having maximum time period shall be considered for the scheme as a whole,” the CEA said.
“However, in case of any exigency, compressed time schedule may be considered on case-to-case basis,” it added.
The move comes as transmission network expansion in India and several other parts of the world struggles to keep pace with rapidly growing renewable energy capacity. Solar and wind projects can often be built faster than the transmission lines needed to connect them to consumers, creating a growing queue of projects awaiting grid access.
The rapid expansion of clean energy has also put pressure on manufacturing capacity for transmission equipment, extending delivery schedules for key components required to build new power networks.
To improve coordination, the CEA advised generation companies, transmission developers, power distribution companies, bulk-load consumers and other stakeholders to factor the timelines into their project planning.
“Generation/ transmission developers, DISCOMs, Bulk load and other relevant stakeholders are advised to take the above timelines into account while planning their generation/ load schedules, financial closure, equipment procurement, and related milestones for better alignment with the corresponding transmission system,” the authority said.
Industry observers have repeatedly warned that grid expansion remains one of the biggest challenges facing India's clean energy ambitions.
“The mismatch between renewable energy deployment and transmission timelines will persist under a business-as-usual approach,” energy research firm Ember said in a note last month.
The firm said grid constraints are threatening to slow India's energy transition and argued that generation and transmission infrastructure need to be planned together over the long term so that new transmission lines are not built only in response to generation projects.
Apart from pressure on equipment suppliers, particularly in the HVDC segment, the sector continues to face delays linked to right-of-way approvals and fragmented land ownership patterns that can slow project execution.
According to Ember, India has achieved only about 80% of its annual transmission expansion targets over the past five years. The research firm also found that roughly one in four inter-state transmission projects faced delays of at least one year, highlighting the scale of the challenge confronting the country's power sector.
