The Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan
Back in the year 2012, a comprehensive study orchestrated by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) uncovered a critical gap in the power evacuation and transmission infrastructure near potential solar and wind power sites which gave birth to the idea of the Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan. This discovery set the stage for the inception of a groundbreaking initiative known as the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) project. This visionary project aimed to develop dedicated transmission infrastructure tailored for large-scale renewable energy plants, with PGCIL presenting the GEC report in September 2012. The states, inspired by PGCIL's report, crafted their transmission plans and subsequently submitted them to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for appraisal. The wheels of implementation began turning in 2015 after navigating the requisite approval process.
The Two Phases of the Remarkable Green Energy Corridor
The Green Energy Corridor unfolds in two pivotal schemes - Intra-State GEC Phase-I and Intra-State GEC Phase-II. The inaugural phase, donned as Intra State Transmission System (InSTS), kickstarted in the fiscal year 2015-16 with an allocated budget hovering around Rs. 10,000 Crores. This phase harbors the ambitious goal of erecting infrastructure capable of siphoning off excess energy from renewable sources in the participating states. The intention is to synchronize this surplus energy with the national grid of India, enabling its seamless transportation to regions grappling with energy deficits. The ambitious project outlines the construction of a whopping 22.6 GVA of electrical substations and the laying down of approximately 9,700 km of transmission lines, facilitating the extraction of up to 24 GW of renewable energy.
Implementation Across Eight States - The Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan Leading the Way
The Green Energy Corridor venture is actively underway in eight states: Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Noteworthy is the fact that these eight states not only partake in the Green Energy Corridor project but also stand as the most renewable energy-rich states in India, blessed with substantial potential to generate gross renewable energy from diverse sources. This is the first towards the Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan.
Financing and Stakeholders Driving the Vision
The financial backbone of the project is structured as follows: 40% is sourced from the Central Government grant, 20% is contributed as State Government equity, and the remaining 40% is procured through a loan from KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Germany. KfW, a venerable developmental bank headquartered and operational in Germany, extends developmental grants funded by the German Federal Government to select developing countries for various developmental projects.
Beyond the Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan - RSGL's Endeavors
Beyond the realms of the Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan, Rajasthan State Gas Limited (RSGL) is actively steering the Green Corridor Project. This initiative aspires to extend the availability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) beyond city limits, heralding a clean and sustainable fuel option for extensive journeys. Noteworthy achievements include the commissioning of CNG stations at Neemrana and Kukus, marking the Delhi-Jaipur Highway of NHAI as the inaugural CNG Corridor of NH-8. Further expansions along the Jaipur-Kota highway are in the pipeline, envisioning this stretch of highway as an additional CNG Corridor.
Prime Ministerial Dedication of Monumental Development Projects
On the historic day of July 8, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated a myriad of development projects collectively valued at over Rs 24,300 crore in Bikaner, Rajasthan to establish the Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan. The projects unveiled included the inauguration of the six-lane Greenfield Expressway section, the initiation of Phase-I of the Inter-State Transmission Line for the Green Energy Corridor, and various other infrastructural marvels.
Sterlite Power's Contributions to Green Energy Transmission
Enter Sterlite Power, a formidable player in the realm of green energy corridor in Rajasthan and green energy transmission projects. This entity has successfully clinched the order for the Rajasthan Phase-III (20GW), Part F Transmission project. Executed under the build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) model for a substantial 35-year period, this project encompasses a 350 km 765kV transmission corridor, a cutting-edge 3000 MVA 765/400kV Substation at Beawar, and the establishment of two Longitudinally In-Line-Out (LILO) lines. An industry milestone, Sterlite Power is set to become the pioneering private transmission infrastructure developer in India to deploy a static synchronous compensators (STATCOM) system at the Fatehgarh III substation, further emphasizing its commitment to India's renewable energy aspirations.
Green National Highway Corridors Project - A Testament to Sustainable Transportation
On a broader spectrum, the Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP) emerges as a monumental initiative spanning four states, including Rajasthan. With an aggregate length stretching to 781 km and a steadfast focus on green technologies and climate resilience, this project is poised to showcase the viability of safe and sustainable highways.
Conclusion - Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan
The Green Energy Corridor in Rajasthan stands not merely as a project but as a testament to sustainable progress, seamlessly integrating renewable energy sources into the national grid. With collaborative efforts from governmental bodies, private enterprises like Sterlite Power, and the inception of projects such as the Green Corridor and GNHCP, Rajasthan is at the forefront of forging a green and sustainable trajectory in the realms of energy and transportation.
What is the objective of the Green Corridor?
The Green Energy Corridor is a comprehensive initiative to integrate 32,713 MW of renewable energy capacity during the 12th Plan Period. Initial estimates indicated a fund requirement of Rs. 34,141 Crore for developing transmission systems and control infrastructure in states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The Ministry of Power approved Rs. 409 Crore for the establishment of the Renewable Energy Management Centre (REMC), with POWERGRID appointed as the Project Management Consultant (PMC). The REMC Project, covering 11 locations, aims to enhance the management and integration of renewable energy across designated states.
Which 8 states are in green energy corridor?
The objective of the Green Energy Corridor Project is to synchronize electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind with conventional power stations in the grid. To facilitate the evacuation of large-scale renewable energy, the Intra State Transmission System (InSTS) project received approval from the Ministry in 2015-16. This initiative is currently underway in eight states known for their renewable energy abundance: Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The implementation of the project in these states is the responsibility of the respective State Transmission Utilities (STUs).
The graphical representation below illustrates the progress made under the GEC scheme.