India Sets Phased Local Content Targets For HVDC Substations

06 May 2026 CW Team

The Ministry of Power revised Make in India procurement norms for the power sector and issued an order on 30 April introducing a phased roadmap to reach a minimum of 60 per cent local content in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) substations of the line commutated converter (LCC) type. The order defines Minimum Local Content (MLC) as the share of project inputs to be sourced or manufactured within India. The revision replaces an earlier uniform requirement with timebound increases for projects under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) or turnkey model.

The order specifies MLC for LCC-type HVDC substations as 30 per cent up to 31 March 2028, 40 per cent from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2030, 50 per cent from 1 April 2030 to 31 March 2032 and 60 per cent from 1 April 2032 to 31 March 2035. The staged approach is intended to allow gradual compliance rather than imposing a single threshold. The roadmap applies only to the EPC or turnkey project category and does not change obligations for other project forms.

The revisions have been issued under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework, which links purchase preference to specified local content thresholds for the power sector. The ministry said the order was approved by the competent authority and applies to HVDC substations forming part of long-distance transmission networks. The measure aims to align procurement with industrial policy while retaining the existing procurement framework.

The ministry indicated the phased timetable is intended to provide a transition period for domestic industry to scale up manufacturing capabilities and meet higher localisation thresholds. It said the roadmap should help foster supply chain development for HVDC equipment without disrupting ongoing projects. Markets and manufacturers will be expected to adapt to the escalating local content requirements over the coming decade.

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