For New Energy, Remove Old Bottlenecks, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• India ranks third globally in renewable energy (RE) deployment with over 300 GW of installed capacity.
• Despite high capacity, significant solar power curtailment occurred due to transmission constraints and grid security needs, especially during evening peak demand.
• The Centre approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme with an outlay of ₹1,86,405 crore to address these bottlenecks.
• The scheme aims to evacuate up to 135 GW of renewable energy and add 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
• It allocates ₹1,36,378 crore for transmission infrastructure and ₹50,000 crore for storage, with ₹54,082 crore in Central Financial Assistance.

Green Energy Corridor.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The variability of solar and wind power necessitates robust transmission planning and storage solutions to meet demand when generation is low.
• The GEC-III scheme focuses on strengthening intra-state networks, crucial for delivering green power from generation-rich regions to consumers across states.
• Past experiences highlight challenges in transmission line development, including Right-of-Way compensation, land acquisition, and delays in environmental clearances.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy recommended a portal for approving authorities to enable real-time monitoring and faster decision-making.
• For the 50 GWh storage component, viable business models, incentives, recycling arrangements, and clear rules for usage and payment are essential.
• The sector's reliance on overseas suppliers for critical raw materials for batteries poses a challenge that needs to be addressed.
• Effective implementation requires strong Centre-state collaboration, as renewable resources, transmission corridors, and electricity demand transcend administrative boundaries.
• The scheme is targeted for completion by FY 2032-33 and supports India's goal of 900 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2035.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Green Energy Corridor (GEC): A dedicated transmission infrastructure designed to evacuate large-scale renewable energy from generation-rich areas to load centers.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Technologies that store electrical energy for later use, crucial for managing intermittency and ensuring grid stability for renewable sources.
• Right-of-Way (RoW): The legal right to pass over or through another's property, a significant hurdle in laying transmission lines due to compensation and acquisition issues.