NEW DELHI – Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), India’s central transmission utility, has approved a substantial capital expenditure of ₹913.99 crore for the procurement of "cold spare" transformers and reactors. The decision was finalized by the company’s Committee of Directors on Investment on Projects during its meeting on January 20, 2026.

The investment is designed to provide a critical safety net for the national power grid, ensuring that backup equipment is readily available to replace failed units, thereby minimizing potential long-term blackouts.

Regional Investment Breakdown

The procurement is divided into three strategic regional packages, aligned with the requirements of various Regional Power Committees (RPCs):

Why "Cold Spares" are Critical

Unlike "hot spares" which remain energized and ready for immediate use, cold spare transformers and reactors are kept in storage at strategic locations. They serve as a vital insurance policy for the grid:

• Reducing Downtime: Large power transformers typically take 9 to 12 months to manufacture. Having spares on hand reduces replacement time to just a few weeks.
• Managing Voltage: Shunt reactors are essential for managing voltage spikes on long-distance transmission lines, especially during periods of low power demand.
• Standardization: This procurement follows the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) guidelines for standardized technical specifications, ensuring these units can be interchanged across different substations within the region.

Execution Timeline

POWERGRID has set a uniform implementation window of 30 months for all three regional projects. This timeline includes the design, manufacturing, and strategic positioning of the equipment across the designated Western, Southern, and North Eastern transmission hubs.

This proactive move comes as POWERGRID intensifies its focus on infrastructure resilience, following its recent success in commissioning the Bhadla-Sikar transmission line earlier this month to support 3 GW of renewable energy integration.