GREEN ENERGY CORRIDOR

Why in News?

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the project on Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for 13 GW Renewable Energy Project in Ladakh.

What is Green Energy Corridor?

The Green Energy Corridor Project aims at synchronizing electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid.Green Energy Corridor is an intra-/ inter-state transmission system which is being implemented by eight renewable rich states in India – Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Intra-State Transmission System is being implemented by respective State Transmission Utilities (STU) and Inter- State Transmission System is being implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL).The scheme will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation of about 20 GW of renewable energy (RE) projects in seven states.

Green Energy Corridor Phase 1

 The Government of India initiated the Green Energy Corridor project in 2013.It is under implementation in renewable resource rich states for the likely renewable power capacity addition during 12thFive Year Plan period. The first phase of green energy corridors is under implementation in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and will help supply around 20 GW of renewable energy by 2022.

Green Energy Corridor Phase 2

 The second phase of the green energy corridor project will involve adding approximately 10,750 circuit km of transmission lines and 27,500 mega volt- amperes (MVA) transformation capacity of substations. The scheme will help in achieving the target of 450 GW installed RE capacity by 2030.

Keeping in view the complex terrain, adverse climatic conditions and defence sensitivities of Ladakh region, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) will be the Implementing Agency for this project. State of the art Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system and Extra High Voltage Alternating Current (EHVAC) systems will be deployed.

The transmission line for evacuating this power will pass through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab up to Kaithal in Haryana, where it will be integrated with the National Grid. An interconnection is also planned from this project in Leh to existing Ladakh grid so as to ensure reliable power supply to the Ladakh. It will also be connected to Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line to provide power to Jammu & Kashmir.

The project will contribute to achieving the target of 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by year 2030. The project will also help in developing long term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint. It will generate large direct & indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power and other related sectors, especially in Ladakh region.

The Prime Minister, during his Independence Day Speech on 15.08.2020, announced setting up of 7.5 GW Solar Park in Ladakh. After extensive field survey, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) prepared a plan to set up 13 GW Renewable Energy (RE) generation capacity along with 12 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Pang, Ladakh.