Rs 17,000 crore transmission and distribution push anchors capital’s clean power roadmap

The Delhi government is accelerating rooftop solar deployment, upgrading transmission and distribution networks and exploring unconventional infrastructure spaces to meet the capital’s fast-rising electricity demand.

At a recent review of the power sector, the government outlined a multi-pronged strategy centred on renewable energy expansion and grid strengthening to ensure reliable and sustainable supply. Rooftop solar installations under the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme form a key pillar of the plan, with a renewed push to scale installations across government buildings and encourage greater household participation through awareness initiatives.

Delhi’s peak electricity demand, typically recorded during the summer months of June and July, crossed 8,400 MW this year. Officials estimate demand is rising annually by 4 to 5 per cent, driven by population growth, higher air-conditioner usage and the expanding adoption of electric vehicles. Peak demand is projected to reach 11,500 to 12,000 MW by 2030 and nearly 20,000 MW by 2040, underscoring the urgency of long-term capacity planning.

Solar energy is expected to play a central role in meeting incremental demand while reducing reliance on conventional power sources. However, acute land constraints in the capital are shaping infrastructure choices. The government is examining the feasibility of installing power distribution infrastructure beneath flyovers and in other underutilised urban spaces, as conventional expansion of substations and networks becomes increasingly difficult.

Distribution companies have been asked to carry out feasibility studies, particularly in high-density areas, to identify viable locations for strengthening the network. Alongside this, a capital expenditure programme of around Rs 17,000 crore is planned over the next three years by Delhi Transco Limited and the city’s distribution companies. The investment will focus on reinforcing transmission lines, grid substations and last-mile distribution to improve reliability and reduce outages.

Officials also indicated that procedures for installing solar panels on agricultural land are being simplified to boost clean energy generation. Gaps in distribution infrastructure across assembly constituencies will be addressed to ensure more uniform power supply across the city.

Taken together, the measures signal a shift towards a more decentralised, renewable-led power system as Delhi prepares for sustained growth in electricity demand over the coming decades.