India has one of the world’s largest transmission networks, with more than 425,000 circuit km transmission lines and a transformation capacity exceeding 900,000 MVA, operating at voltage levels of 220 kV and above.

The Power Ministry has mandated a revised roadmap for achieving 60 per cent Minimum Local Content (MLC) in high voltage direct current (HVDC) substations in phases between FY28-FY35.

The Ministry has revised the roadmap for local content in HVDC substations (Line Commutated Converter type), which aligns with its vision to promote self-sufficiency, reduce imports and create a robust domestic ecosystem for manufacturing HVDC equipment.

Under the revised roadmap, the Ministry has mandated reaching a MLC of 30 per cent by FY28, which will be scaled up to 40 per cent by FY30. The local content requirement will then be scaled up to 50 per cent by FY32 and finally 60 per cent by FY35.

Sustainable transmission solutions

India has one of the world’s largest transmission networks, with more than 425,000 circuit km transmission lines and a transformation capacity exceeding 900,000 MVA, operating at voltage levels of 220 kV and above.

As renewable capacity accelerates, the network is undergoing a significant technological transition, including the deployment of HVDC, GIS, STATCOMs, synchronous condensers, series compensation and advanced substation systems.

According to Hitachi Energy, HVDC is a key enabler for a carbon-neutral energy system. It is highly efficient for transmitting large amounts of electricity over long distances, integration of renewables and interconnecting grids, opening up for new sustainable transmission solutions.

National Electricity Plan

A number of capital intensive transmission projects such as EHVAC projects, HVDC projects, synchronous condensers (syncon) with optimised planning are envisaged to be implemented as per the NEP for expansion of the inter regional connectivity and grid modernisation.

Transformer manufacturers in India are experiencing incremental opportunities due to the increasing share of HVDC transmission projects. These projects require high-value converter transformers and reactors, with only a limited number of qualified suppliers.

According to Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOFSL), transformer manufacturers in India are also benefiting from the increasing share of HVDC projects, which require specialised, high-value converter transformers and reactors supplied by a limited pool of players such as Hitachi Energy India, Siemens Energy India, GE Vernova T&D India and BHEL.

Of the 32.3 gigawatt (GW) HVDC pipeline outlined in the National Electricity Plan (NEP) FY23-32, about 14.5 GW has already been tendered and awarded.

According to the NEP, over 191,000 ckm (circuit km) of transmission lines and 1,270 GVA of transformation capacity are planned to be added during the ten years from 2022-23 to 2031-32 (at 220 kV and above voltage level). In addition, 33 GW of HVDC bi-pole links are also planned.

The inter-regional transmission capacity is planned to increase to 143 GW by the year 2027 and further to 168 GW by the year 2032, from the present level of 119 GW.

Published on May 2, 2026