Centre requests Rs 220 billion from EFC for 900-km Ladakh power link

Due to strategic considerations, the government has issued a letter to the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) proposing to spend over Rs 220 billion to build a 900-km electricity transmission link from Ladakh. The 10 GW of renewable energy capacity being installed in Ladakh will be transmitted via the flagship project, which will be built by the state-run Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL). Due to security concerns regarding China, PGCIL was given the project on a nomination basis while the government had previously considered soliciting international bids for the construction of the link. The transmission line will feature a 12 GWh battery energy storage component and stretch from Pang in Leh to Kaithal in Haryana. A cabinet note for the project, which is a crucial component of India's ambition to develop Ladakh as a carbon-neutral region, would be circulated after the EFC, which is led by the expenditure secretary, approves the plan. The action, which is also a part of a plan to expand the union territory, is anticipated to draw capital for the construction of green energy projects in the arid, cold area. Also read: RDSS projects to strengthen power infra for LadakhIndia builds 2,088 km of road along China border over 5 years