Power transmission needs competition

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India’s ambition to deploy 500 gigawatts (Gw) of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 depends on a robust interstate transmission network. While generation capacity can be built in 18-24 months, transmission corridors often require about four years and multiple clearances. The current national grid has already achieved synchronous integration of all five regional grids. India’s renewable energy ambition is among the loftiest globally. Meeting it will depend as much on the efficiency and inclusiveness of its transmission architecture as on the megawatts being built. A competitive transmission sector is therefore not just good economics—it is good grid governance.

India’s green energy transition is a marathon, not a sprint. India’s progress on transmission will ultimately determine how fast renewable energy can scale. For it to succeed, every capable market participant should be performing at peak efficiency. By ensuring a genuinely competitive transmission sector, India can build a grid that is not only unified but also reliable, innovative, and capable of guaranteeing the country’s energy security. The time to correct the balance is now, before project delays become a permanent bottleneck to our ambitions. As India moves toward its 2030 and 2047 energy milestones, restoring competitive intensity in the transmission sector will be essential for maintaining affordability, reliability, and investor confidence.