Power Minister Urges States to Ensure Power, Transmission Readiness

On Friday, Power Minister Manohar Lal stated that states should guarantee resource sufficiency and the required power-producing capacity partnerships. Speaking at the regional power conference with southern states, Lal stated that states should strive for a sufficient power generation mix, including the expansion of nuclear plant capacity, and also meeting their resource adequacy plan.

Lal said states should work towards resolving the intra-state transmission sector challenges, including 'right of way' issues. He underlined the necessity of following directives from the national government in this respect. States could take advantage of the ₹1.5 lakh crore interest-free financing program for infrastructure development that was announced in the Union Budget 2025–2026.

In order to ensure energy reliability and to help India fulfill its international climate commitments under the UNFCCC, Lal encouraged states to submit concepts for the third phase of the Green Energy Corridor and to encourage the use of renewable energy in conjunction with storage options.

In his remarks at the conference, Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal emphasized the importance of securing the required power generation capacity tie-ups in accordance with the resource adequacy plan through FY35 in order to fulfill future power demand.

He continued by saying that it is crucial to make the required preparations for the growth of transmission capacities both within and between states using the different financing models that are available, such as budgetary support, regulated tariff mechanisms, competitive bidding based on tariffs, or the monetization of existing assets.