New Transmission system plan to meet 500 GW renewable energy target

The Union Ministry of Power launched a plan called Transmission System for Integration of Over 500 Gw RE Capacity by 2030 to support the 500 Gw renewable energy (RE) capacity by the end of this decade. The plan calls for an investment of Rs 2.44 trillion in transmission projects to connect mega solar parks and wind power zones to the national grid. The mega plan calls for the construction of 8,120 circuit kilometres (ckm) of high voltage direct current transmission corridors (+800 kV and +350 kV), 25,960 ckm of 765 kV ac lines, 15,758 ckm of 400 kV lines, and 1,052 ckm of 220 kV cable. By 2030, 51.5 Gw of battery energy storage capacity is also planned for installation. This will give users access to power constantly. The strategy has identified significant forthcoming non-fossil fuel-based generation centres across the nation, according to a statement from the ministry of power. In accordance with this, transmission networks have been planned. This includes, among other places, the Rajasthani cities of Fatehgarh, Bhadla, and Bikaner; Gujarat's Khavda; Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur and Kurnool RE Zones; Tamil Nadu's and Gujarat's offshore wind potentials; and Ladakh's RE park. Speaking at the launch, Union minister for power, new & renewable energy R K Singh stated, “We will not compromise on economic growth. We are also going to meet our climate commitments. We will achieve our target of 500 Gw non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The plan we are launching is in line with our commitments and will also pave the way for adding the required generation capacity.” Singh said he was pleading with RE generators and transmission project developers to expedite capacity addition, “Make single-digit profit but add capacity as fast as possible.” He also stated that transmission developers do not need to be concerned about previous generation projects because they will be paid because transmission costs have been socialised, at least until 2025. He also stated that the ministry is considering granting renewable project developers more leeway. “Currently, you are awarded the project and then Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) signs a power-purchase agreement (PPA) for you after finding buyer states. But now, we will give liberty to construct projects before PPA and sell on exchanges till the time buyers are found,” he said. To prepare the report, a high-level committee chaired by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) met with representatives from SECI, Central Transmission Utility of India, Power Grid Corporation of India, National Institute of Solar Energy, and National Institute of Wind Energy. See also: Centre floats guidelines to scale up power sector infra RECPDCL transfers SPV for development of Transmission Project