The government is expecting investments to the tune of Rs 9.15 lakh crore in the central and state transmission systems by 2032, as part of the revised National Electricity Plan, Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar said on Monday.
Highlighting the ministry’s work in the last 100 days, he said that the NEP (2023-2032), to be released in the next 15 days, would aim at meeting peak demand of 458 GW by 2032, up from over 240 GW seen in 2023.
Under the new plan, the government plans to expand the country’s transmission network to 6.48 lakh circuit kilometers (ckm) in 2032 from 4.85 lakh circuit kilometers in 2024. During the same period the transformation capacity is envisaged to increase to 2,342 GVA (gigavolt amperes) from 1,251 GVA. Under the previous plan 2017-22, about 17,700 ckm lines and 73 GVA transformation capacity were added annually.
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Nine High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines of 33.25 GW capacity will be added in addition to 33.5 GW presently operating, Khattar added. Additionally, the plan envisages Inter-Regional transfer capacity to increase to 168 GW (gigawatt) from 119 GW. The plan covers the network of 220 kV and above.
The minister noted that the new plan would help in meeting the increasing electricity demand, facilitate renewable energy integration and green hydrogen loads into the grid.
Currently, the total thermal capacity of the country stands at 217 GW. In addition, 28.4 GW capacity is under construction, out of which 14 GW capacity is likely to be commissioned by FY25. Further, 58.4 GW is at various stages of development. In the last 100 days, the power ministry has awarded 12.8 GW of new coal based thermal capacity.
The government has also approved 50 GW Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) capacity and the transmission network of 335 GW is planned to evacuate 280 GW of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) to the ISTS by 2030, he said.
“Out of this, 42 GW has already been completed, 85 GW is under construction, and 75 GW is under bidding. Balance 82 GW will be approved in due course,” Khattar said.
The government, in the first 100 days, also approved transmission schemes corresponding to 50.9 GW capacity. The total cost of the approved projects is Rs. 60,676 crore.
The approved transmission system includes the evacuation of renewable electricity, including offshore wind power in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. This will support the power requirements of planned green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in these states, as well as pumped storage potential near in Maharashtra. “Additionally, the approved system will facilitate the evacuation of hydro power from Jammu & Kashmir and thermal power from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The minister highlighted that to meet the rising power demand each year, the government will continue adding thermal capacities until renewable energy becomes viable. He said that the country will require coal-based power at least until 2035.
“To meet the peak demand and base load requirements of a rapidly expanding economy, the Ministry of Power has prioritized thermal capacity addition,” the minister said.
Currently, the total thermal capacity of the country stands at 217 GW. In addition, 28.4 GW capacity is under construction, out of which 14 GW capacity is likely to be commissioned by FY25. Further, 58.4 GW is at various stages of development involving planning, statutory clearances, and bidding. In the last 100 days, the power ministry has awarded 12.8 GW of new coal based thermal capacity.
From: financialexpress
Financial News
