The Government has adopted a planning and implementation approach that prioritises grid readiness, transmission expansion and energy storage as integral elements of Renewable Energy (RE) development. The objective is to integrate RE while expanding capacity to ensure energy security and a managed transition. Measures include strengthening transmission infrastructure, improving grid operation, deploying smart grid technologies and expanding energy storage to manage intermittency and enable round-the-clock supply.

Transmission planning covers the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) for RE evacuation, with systems planned for integration of over 500 GW by 2030. The transmission network is projected to expand from about 5.04 lakh circuit km to 6.48 lakh circuit km, equivalent to 0.504 mn and 0.648 mn circuit km, and inter-regional capacity is due to rise from 120 GW to 143 GW by 2027 and to 168 GW by 2032. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) in 10 States to evacuate 44 GW.

Dedicated high voltage direct current links with bi-directional flow are planned for efficient long-distance transfer and greater controllability. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced solar-hour and non-solar-hour connectivity to optimise transmission and promote hybrid projects combining solar, wind and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The Central Electricity Authority has notified technical standards for connectivity and thermal flexibilisation is mandated to address variability.

The Government has set up thirteen Renewable Energy Management Centres and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, with inputs from the Indian Space Research Organisation, provides forecasting support. Smart grid devices and Automatic Generation Control with ancillary services are being promoted to improve system strength and frequency regulation. Two viability gap funding schemes target about 43.8 GWh of BESS, the government has extended a 100 per cent waiver of ISTS charges for co-located BESS and hydro Pumped Storage Plants (PSP) commissioned or awarded by June, 2028, and a Production-Linked Incentive scheme has an outlay of Rs 181 bn for 50 GWh of Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing with 10 GWh for grid storage.