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India Targets 60% Local Content in HVDC Substations by 2035

The Ministry of Power has revised Make in India procurement norms for HVDC substations. The new rules replace the uniform 60% local content requirement with a phased increase. Minimum local content will start at 30% until 2028, gradually rising to 60% by 2035. This provides a transition period for domestic industry to scale up capabilities.

Key Points: Make in India: 60% Local Content in HVDC by 2035

  • Phased roadmap for local content in HVDC substations
  • 30% local content until March 2028
  • Incremental increase to 60% by April 2032
  • Part of Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework
2 min read

Govt eases 'Make in India' norms for HVDC substations, targets 60% local content by 2035

Govt eases Make in India norms for HVDC substations, sets phased roadmap to achieve 60% minimum local content by 2035 for power sector.

"Minimum Local Content (MLC) refers to how much of a project must be sourced/manufactured within India. - Ministry of Power"

New Delhi, May 2

The Ministry of Power has revised its "Make in India" procurement norms for the power sector, introducing a phased roadmap to achieve 60 per cent minimum local content in HVDC substations, according to an official order dated April 30.

"In continuation to Ministry of Power's Order... it has been decided to revise the Minimum Local Content (MLC) in HVDC Substation...," the ministry said in the order.

Minimum Local Content (MLC) refers to how much of a project must be sourced/manufactured within India.

Under the revised norms, the government has replaced the earlier uniform requirement of 60 per cent local content with a gradual increase over time for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)/turnkey projects.

As per the order, the minimum local content for HVDC substations (LCC type) will be "30% upto 31.03.2028," followed by "40% from 01.04.2028 till 31.03.2030," then "50% from 01.04.2030 till 31.03.2032," and finally "60% from 01.04.2032 till 31.03.2035."

The ministry said the changes fall under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework, which provides "purchase preference (linked with local content) in respect of Power Sector."

The revised roadmap applies to HVDC substations under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) or turnkey project category, which are critical for long-distance power transmission infrastructure.

"All other provisions of the said Order remain unchanged," the ministry clarified.

The order has been issued with the approval of the competent authority, the ministry added.

The move is expected to provide a transition period for domestic industry to scale up capabilities, while continuing to push localisation in high-value power infrastructure projects.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Pooja D
Good move, but 30% local content until 2028 feels too low. We've been talking about Make in India for years now. Why can't we start at 40%? The private sector has the capability, they just need clear policies and timely payments from PSUs. Hope this isn't another paper exercise that benefits only a few big players.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see India taking a pragmatic approach. The phased timeline makes sense from an engineering perspective - HVDC is not your typical transformer or switchgear. Component sourcing, testing, and integration require specialized skills. If the government also invests in training programs for power engineers, this could really boost India's self-reliance in the long term.
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Sneha F
This is a win-win! Aurangabad industrial belt has several MSMEs making power equipment. With this policy, they'll get a chance to supply for mega projects. But the government must ensure that quality standards are not compromised - we've seen too many instances where local equipment fails in the field. Strict QC checks are needed alongside the localization push.
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Rahul R
Phased approach makes sense. Our power sector transformation from a deficit to a surplus nation has been remarkable. But HVDC technology is different ball game - it involves thyristors, converters, control systems that are mostly imported. Give domestic companies time, but also ease FDI norms for JVs with global leaders to bring technology here. Make in India should also mean 'Make with the World' to some extent.
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Nisha Z
Great initiative but the real test will be

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