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October 19, 2023
Introduction:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the green signal to an ambitious project known as Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for a massive 13 GW Renewable Energy initiative in Ladakh.
Project Overview
- Approval: The project, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been approved for implementation.
- Scope: This project aims to establish a robust renewable energy infrastructure in Ladakh.
- Timeline: The project is expected to be completed by FY 2029-30.
- Cost: The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 20,773.70 crore.
- Financial Support: The Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for the project will be 40 percent of the total cost, amounting to Rs. 8,309.48 crore.
Implementing Agency
- Challenges: Due to the complex terrain, adverse climatic conditions, and defence sensitivities of the Ladakh region, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) will be the Implementing Agency for this project.
- Technology: 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.
Transmission Route
- Path: The transmission line for evacuating this power will pass through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, extending up to Kaithal in Haryana, where it will integrate with the National Grid.
- Interconnection: An interconnection from this project in Leh to the existing Ladakh grid will ensure a reliable power supply to Ladakh and connect to the Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line to provide power to Jammu & Kashmir.
- Infrastructure: The project will involve setting up 713 km of transmission lines, including a 480 km HVDC line, and two 5 GW capacity HVDC terminals, one at Pang (Ladakh) and one at Kaithal (Haryana).
Achieving Renewable Energy Goals
- National Target: This project plays a significant role in achieving the national target of 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
- Environmental Impact: It will contribute to long-term energy security and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing the carbon footprint.
- Employment Opportunities: The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefiting both skilled and unskilled workers, particularly in the Ladakh region.
Expanding the Green Energy Corridor
- Existing Project: This project complements the ongoing Intra-State Transmission System Green Energy Corridor Phase-II (InSTS GEC-II), which is already under implementation in various states.
- Scope: InSTS GEC-II targets the integration and power evacuation of approximately 20 GW of renewable energy power.
- Completion Date: The InSTS GEC-II scheme is expected to be completed by 2026, with an estimated project cost of Rs. 12,031.33 crore and a CFA of 33 percent, amounting to Rs. 3,970.34 crore.
Background
- Announcement: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the 7.5 GW Solar Park in Ladakh during his Independence Day Speech on 15.08.2020.
- Project Expansion: Following extensive field surveys, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) formulated plans to establish a 13 GW Renewable Energy generation capacity along with a 12 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Pang, Ladakh.
- Inter-State Transmission: To facilitate the evacuation of this substantial power generation, an inter-state transmission infrastructure became imperative.