Rajasthan Solar Projects Face Daytime Curtailment Risk
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Rajasthan Solar Projects Face Daytime Curtailment Risk

Nearly 4.3 GW of solar power capacity in Rajasthan is facing complete daytime curtailment due to inadequate transmission infrastructure, putting projects worth around Rs 200 billion at risk, according to industry sources.

A total of 26 solar projects, developed by companies including Adani, ReNew, Serentica, Juniper, Zelestra, ACME and Amp Energy, are currently operating under the Temporary General Network Access framework as their associated transmission systems are yet to be commissioned. With available transmission margins fully exhausted, power generation from these plants has been entirely curtailed during daytime hours.

Data from the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre shows that Rajasthan has about 23 GW of commissioned renewable energy capacity, while its transmission capacity stands at roughly 18.9 GW. This entire transmission capacity has been allocated to projects with long-term General Network Access, leaving more than 4 GW of capacity operating under T-GNA without adequate evacuation capability.

Industry officials said that despite the commissioning of the 765 kV Khetri–Narela transmission line, only around 600 MW of additional transmission capacity became available. At the same time, more than 4.3 GW of capacity was operationalised under long-term GNA, effectively absorbing all surplus margins.

In an email dated 11 December, the NRLDC withdrew the No Objection Certificates for the 26 projects following the commissioning of the Khetri–Narela line and the operationalisation of long-term GNA. Developers warned that prolonged curtailment could severely impact project viability and debt servicing, flagging the issue as a growing systemic risk as renewable generation continues to outpace transmission additions in resource-rich states such as Rajasthan.

Industry representatives have urged the government to consider short-term relief measures, including the implementation of a Special Protection Scheme to improve evacuation under T-GNA, dynamic reallocation of unused GNA margins during low utilisation periods, and the use of Dynamic Line Rating to maximise real-time transmission capacity.

An industry official said most of the 4.3 GW capacity is well within its notified connectivity start date but is being forced to operate under T-GNA due to delays in commissioning associated transmission systems. He added that there is currently no formal mechanism for generators to assess in advance the transmission capacity that may become available with the commissioning of new lines.

According to industry estimates, if Rajasthan’s 18.9 GW transmission capacity were equitably distributed across its 23 GW of operational renewable capacity, peak-hour curtailment would be limited to around 15 per cent, which would be manageable on an annualised basis. Without immediate intervention, however, developers warned that large-scale renewable assets risk becoming stranded.

Nearly 4.3 GW of solar power capacity in Rajasthan is facing complete daytime curtailment due to inadequate transmission infrastructure, putting projects worth around Rs 200 billion at risk, according to industry sources. A total of 26 solar projects, developed by companies including Adani, ReNew, Serentica, Juniper, Zelestra, ACME and Amp Energy, are currently operating under the Temporary General Network Access framework as their associated transmission systems are yet to be commissioned. With available transmission margins fully exhausted, power generation from these plants has been entirely curtailed during daytime hours. Data from the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre shows that Rajasthan has about 23 GW of commissioned renewable energy capacity, while its transmission capacity stands at roughly 18.9 GW. This entire transmission capacity has been allocated to projects with long-term General Network Access, leaving more than 4 GW of capacity operating under T-GNA without adequate evacuation capability. Industry officials said that despite the commissioning of the 765 kV Khetri–Narela transmission line, only around 600 MW of additional transmission capacity became available. At the same time, more than 4.3 GW of capacity was operationalised under long-term GNA, effectively absorbing all surplus margins. In an email dated 11 December, the NRLDC withdrew the No Objection Certificates for the 26 projects following the commissioning of the Khetri–Narela line and the operationalisation of long-term GNA. Developers warned that prolonged curtailment could severely impact project viability and debt servicing, flagging the issue as a growing systemic risk as renewable generation continues to outpace transmission additions in resource-rich states such as Rajasthan. Industry representatives have urged the government to consider short-term relief measures, including the implementation of a Special Protection Scheme to improve evacuation under T-GNA, dynamic reallocation of unused GNA margins during low utilisation periods, and the use of Dynamic Line Rating to maximise real-time transmission capacity. An industry official said most of the 4.3 GW capacity is well within its notified connectivity start date but is being forced to operate under T-GNA due to delays in commissioning associated transmission systems. He added that there is currently no formal mechanism for generators to assess in advance the transmission capacity that may become available with the commissioning of new lines. According to industry estimates, if Rajasthan’s 18.9 GW transmission capacity were equitably distributed across its 23 GW of operational renewable capacity, peak-hour curtailment would be limited to around 15 per cent, which would be manageable on an annualised basis. Without immediate intervention, however, developers warned that large-scale renewable assets risk becoming stranded.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement