**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the Ministry of Power’s strategic initiatives and infrastructure developments aimed at achieving 24x7 uninterrupted power supply across India. It details the transition from a power-deficit to a power-sufficient nation, highlighting the "Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020" and the "Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)." Key outcomes include the reduction of AT&C losses to 15.04% in FY25 and a roadmap to integrate 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory Framework and Consumer Rights**
* **Universal Supply Mandate:** Rule (10) of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, requires distribution licensees to provide 24x7 power to all consumers, including urban and rural areas.
* **Tariff and Subsidy Reform:** Rules have been framed for cost-reflective tariffs and the Fuel and Power Purchase Costs Adjustment (FPPCA). Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) now govern proper subsidy accounting and timely payments.
**Capacity and Infrastructure Expansion**
* **Generation Growth:** Total installed capacity reached 5,20,511 MW by January 2026, with 2,96,388 MW added since 2014.
* **Transmission Strengthening:** Since 2014, 2,12,325 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines and 84,390 MW of inter-regional capacity have been added.
* **National Grid Targets:** Under the National Electricity Plan, the network (220kV and above) is projected to reach 6.48 lakh ckm with a transformation capacity of 2,345 GVA by 2031-32.
**Distribution Sector Improvements**
* **RDSS Implementation:** The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, launched in 2021, focuses on financial sustainability and smart metering, with ₹2.83 lakh crore sanctioned for infrastructure and loss reduction.
* **Operational Success:** Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses reduced from 21.91% in FY21 to 15.04% in FY25.
* **Supply Availability:** As of FY25, rural power availability increased to 22.6 hours daily, while urban areas reached 23.6 hours.
**Renewable Energy (RE) Integration**
* **Capacity Targets:** RE commissioned capacity stood at 263 GW in January 2026, with goals of 500 GW by 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032.
* **Green Energy Corridor (GEC):** Phases I and II are being implemented across ten states to evacuate 44 GW of RE.
* **Energy Storage:** Viability Gap Funding (VGF) schemes are supporting 13,850 MWh and 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for grid integration.
* **Grid Stability:** Advanced Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) like STATCOMs are being deployed to address dynamic grid requirements and short-circuit strength.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
**Impact:** States benefit from an additional borrowing space of 0.5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
**Action Required:** Must undertake specific power sector reforms and recognize the financial liabilities of distribution utilities as contingent liabilities of the State.
**Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs)**
**Impact:** Utilities receive financial support via RDSS and additional Prudential Norms for loans, contingent on performance.
**Action Required:** Must reduce AT&C losses through smart metering and energy accounting while adhering to performance-linked financial and operational parameters.
**Power Consumers**
**Impact:** Rural and urban consumers gain improved quality and reliability of supply, moving toward a 24x7 availability standard.
**Action Required:** Transition to smart metering systems for accurate billing and energy management.
**Renewable Energy Developers**
**Impact:** Benefit from the "Connectivity and General Network Access" regulations, which introduce solar and non-solar hour connectivity to optimize infrastructure.
**Action Required:** Align project development with updated CERC regulations and utilize planned Intra-State and Inter-State Transmission Systems.
Key Entities Referenced
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): A flagship initiative launched in 2021 to improve the quality, reliability, and financial sustainability of the power distribution sector through infrastructure works and smart metering.
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020: Statutory rules providing the legal mandate for distribution licensees to supply 24x7 power to all consumers across States and Union Territories.
Green Energy Corridor (GEC): A transmission infrastructure scheme implemented to facilitate the evacuation and integration of large-scale renewable energy capacity across multiple Indian states.
National Electricity Plan (NEP): A strategic policy document (Volume-II Transmission) projecting the expansion and strengthening of the national transmission network through the year 2031-32.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme: A financial initiative providing budgetary support for the development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to facilitate the integration of renewable energy.
Ministry of Power
Initiatives to achieve uninterrupted power supply
across the country
Posted On: 23 MAR 2026 4:54PM by PIB Delhi
Electricity being a concurrent subject, supply and distribution of electricity to consumers is within the
purview of the respective State Government/ distribution utility.
Rule (10) of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, provides that the distribution licensee
shall supply 24x7 power to all consumers. However, the Commission may specify lower hours of supply
for some category of consumers. The Rules are applicable for all States/UTs and for all areas including
urban and rural areas.
Government of India has taken following initiatives to achieve uninterrupted power supply across the
country:
(i) 2,96,388 MW of generation capacity have been added since 2014, transforming our country from
power deficit to power sufficient. The total installed generation capacity is 5,20,511 MW in January,
2026.
(ii) 2,12,325 circuit kilometre (ckm) of transmission lines, 8,98,375 MVA of Transformation
capacity and 84,390 MW of Inter-Regional capacity has been added since 2014.
(iii) In the distribution sector, projects worth ₹1.85 lakh Cr. were executed under schemes of
DDUGJY, SAUBHAGYA and IPDS wherein 2,927 new sub-stations were added, 3,965 existing
sub-stations were upgraded, 6,96,302 Distribution Transformers were installed, Feeder separation of
7,833 mixed load feeders was executed and 8.4 Lakh Circuit Kilometer (CKm) of HT and LT lines
have been added/ upgraded. The DDUGJY, SAUBHAGYA and IPDS schemes stand closed as on
31.03.2022.
(iv) Distribution infrastructure works worth Rs. 2.83 lakh crore have been sanctioned for loss
reduction infrastructure and smart metering works under the RDSS to supplement the efforts of
States to help distribution utilities in providing quality and reliable supply of power.
As a result of the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Power, the State Governments and distribution
utilities, Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) Losses have reduced from 21.91% in FY21 to
15.04% in FY25. Reduction in AT&C losses improves the finances of the utilities, which will enable them
to better maintain the system and buy power as per requirements, thus benefitting the consumers. Further,
the availability of power supply in rural areas has increased from 12.5 Hours in FY 2015 to 22.6 Hours in
FY 2025. The power supply in urban areas has increased to 23.6 Hours in FY 2025.
(c): Financial liabilities of State distribution utilities are the contingent liabilities of the respective State
Governments and need to be recognized as such. However, Government of India has been supporting the
distribution utilities to improve their financial and operational performance through various initiatives.
Some of the key initiatives taken are as under:i. Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has been launched in the year 2021 with the
objective of improving the quality and reliability of supply of power through a financially
sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector. The release of funds under the
scheme is linked to performance of the States/ distribution utilities against financial and
operational parameters. Further, the smart metering works would help the utilities to reduce
their aggregate technical and commercial losses through accurate energy accounting. The
State wise details of fund released under RDSS are placed at Table 1.
ii. Additional borrowing space of 0.5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has been made
available to State Governments, which is conditional upon them undertaking specific reforms
in the power sector including financial performance of the distribution utilities.
iii. Additional Prudential Norms have been laid down for sanctioning of loans to State-owned
power utilities based on performance of power distribution utilities against prescribed
conditions.
iv. Rules for implementation of Fuel and Power Purchase Costs Adjustment (FPPCA) and cost-
reflective tariff have been framed so as to ensure that all prudent costs for supply of electricity
are passed through.
v. Rules and Standard Operating Procedure have been issued for proper subsidy accounting and
their timely payment.
The transmission systems are planned in advance, and the National Grid is strengthened on a continuous
basis, including to facilitate seamless integration of growing RE capacity, across the country. As of
January 2026, the RE Capacity commissioned is around 263 GW.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing Green Energy Corridor (GEC) as
Intra-State Transmission projects scheme in ten States namely Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in two
phases, i.e. GEC-I and GEC-II for evacuation of 44 GW of RE. Out of which, 26 GW of RE is integrated.
Further, Intra-State and Inter-State Transmission Systems have been planned to integrate over 500 GW of
Renewable Energy (RE) capacity by 2030 and over 600 GW of RE capacity by 2032 (Including GEC-I &
II)
Under National Electricity Plan (NEP) (Volume-II Transmission), the transmission network (220kV and
above) is projected to expand to 6.48 lakh circuit kilometer (ckm) with transformation capacity increasing
to 2,345 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA) by 2031-32. The inter-regional transmission capacity is planned to
increase from 120 GW as on January 2026 to 168 GW by the year 2032.
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) through the “Connectivity and General Network
Access to the Inter-State Transmission System (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025” has introduced
solar-hour and non-solar-hour connectivity, enabling optimal use of transmission infrastructure and
promoting hybrid renewable projects combining solar, wind and Battery Storage Energy Storage System
(BESS).
Further, Ministry of Power is administering a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for setting up 13,850
MWh of BESS capacity with budgetary support of Rs. 3,760 Cr. The objective of the scheme is to deploy
BESS for the integration of larger amount of RE. Additionally, in June, 2025, VGF scheme for
development of 30 GWh of BESS capacity was approved by this Ministry for support through Power
System Development Fund (PSDF).
Additionally, use of advanced Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices such
as Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and Synchronous Condenser are considered to address
dynamic grid requirements, including reactive power compensation, inertia support, and enhancement of
short-circuit strength, especially in the context of rising renewable energy integration.Table 1
State/ UT wise Details of funds released under RDSS
(Amount in Rs. Cr.)
Sl. State/UTs Sanctioned Sanctioned Total Sanctioned Sanctioned Total
Cost of Cost of Sanctioned GBS of GBS for GBS
No.
Smart Infrastructure Outlay Smart Infrastructure (Infra
Metering Works Metering Works Smart
Works Meteri
1 A&NI 54 462 516 12 416 428
2 Andhra 4,128 10,708 14,836 815 6,425 7,240
Pradesh
3 Arunachal 184 1,042 1,226 54 938 992
Pradesh
4 Assam 4,050 3,395 7,444 1,052 3,055 4,107
5 Bihar 2,021 10,559 12,581 412 6,336 6,748
6 Chhattisgarh 4,105 4,021 8,126 804 2,412 3,217
7 Delhi 13 324 337 2 194 196
8 Goa 469 247 716 95 148 243
9 Gujarat 10,642 6,089 16,731 1,885 3,653 5,538
10 Haryana - 6,794 6,794 - 4,076 4,076
11 Himachal 1,788 2,327 4,116 466 2,095 2,561
Pradesh
12 Jammu & 1,064 5,034 6,098 272 4,531 4,803
Kashmir
13 Jharkhand 858 3,468 4,326 191 2,081 2,272
14 Karnataka - 45 45 - 27 2715 Kerala 8,231 3,108 11,339 1,413 1,865 3,278
16 Ladakh - 876 876 - 788 788
17 Madhya 8,911 9,738 18,649 1,504 5,843 7,347
Pradesh
18 Maharashtra 15,215 17,238 32,453 2,840 10,343 13,182
19 Manipur 121 627 748 38 564 602
20 Meghalaya 310 1,232 1,542 86 1,109 1,195
21 Mizoram 182 322 503 61 290 351
22 Nagaland 208 466 674 60 419 479
23 Puducherry 251 84 335 56 51 107
24 Punjab 5,769 3,873 9,642 960 2,324 3,284
25 Rajasthan 9,715 18,693 28,408 1,686 11,216 12,902
26 Sikkim 97 420 518 30 378 409
27 Tamil Nadu 19,235 9,568 28,803 3,398 5,741 9,139
28 Telangana - 120 120 - 72 72
29 Tripura 319 598 917 80 538 619
30 Uttar 18,956 21,782 40,739 3,501 13,069 16,570
Pradesh
31 Uttarakhand 1,106 2,371 3,477 310 2,134 2,444
32 West Bengal 12,670 7,223 19,893 2,089 4,334 6,423
Sub Total 1,30,671 1,52,854 2,83,525 24,173 97,464 1,21,63
This Information was given by The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Shri Shripad Naik, in a
written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
****NR/AP/MD
(Release ID: 2243994) Visitor Counter : 172
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati