The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for a massive 13 GW Renewable Energy Project in Ladakh.
Project Timeline and Costs
The ambitious project is slated for completion by the fiscal year 2029-30, with an estimated total cost of Rs. 20,773.70 crore. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be provided, covering 40 percent of the project cost, amounting to Rs. 8,309.48 crore.
Power Grid Corporation of India to Implement the Green Energy Corridor
Given the challenging terrain, adverse climatic conditions, and defense sensitivities in Ladakh, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) will take charge as the Implementing Agency. The project will deploy state-of-the-art Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems and Extra High Voltage Alternating Current (EHVAC) systems.
Transmission and Integration
The transmission line for evacuating the generated power will traverse through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, extending up to Kaithal in Haryana, where it will be integrated into the National Grid. An interconnection will also be established from this project in Leh to the existing Ladakh grid, ensuring a reliable power supply to the region. Moreover, it will connect to the Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line to provide power to Jammu & Kashmir.
This project will involve –
- Setting up 713 km of transmission lines (including 480 km of HVDC lines).
- 5 GW capacity HVDC terminals at both Pang (Ladakh) and Kaithal (Haryana).
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Sustainable Impact
The project will contribute to the target of achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030. It will bolster the country’s long-term energy security and promote ecologically sustainable growth by significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Additionally, the project will generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities in the Ladakh region.
Expanding Green Energy Corridor
This project is an addition to the ongoing Intra-State Transmission System Green Energy Corridor Phase-II (InSTS GEC-II), currently under implementation in multiple states: Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
InSTS GEC-II aims to facilitate the grid integration and power evacuation of approximately 20 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) power. It is expected to be completed by 2026. The project involves the addition of 10,753 ckm of transmission lines and 27,546 MVA capacity of substations. The estimated project cost is Rs. 12,031.33 crore and a CFA of 33%, equating to Rs. 3,970.34 crore.
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Background
This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s announcement during his Independence Day Speech on August 15, 2020, where he unveiled plans for a 7.5 GW Solar Park in Ladakh. Subsequently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) conducted extensive field surveys and devised a plan to establish a substantial 13 GW Renewable Energy (RE) generation capacity alongside a 12 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Pang, Ladakh. To accommodate this significant energy generation, the creation of an inter-state transmission infrastructure is imperative.
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