India OKs $1.63m new transmission schemes

These will be implemented through competitive bidding.

The Indian government has approved new inter state transmission system (ISTS) schemes valued at $1.63m (INR13,595 crore) to evacuate 9 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy (RE) from Rajasthan and Karnataka.

According to the Ministry of Power, the evacuation scheme of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone will cover 4.5 GW of RE power from Rajasthan. It comprises 1 GW from Fatehgarh complex, 2.5 GW from Barmer Complex and 1 GW from Nagaur (Merta) Complex. 

This will be transferred to Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur and Orai of Uttar Pradesh. The project is expected to be completed in two years and will cost $1.46m (INR12,241 crore).

Meanwhile, the system strengthening scheme of Karnataka will evacuate 4.5 GW RE power from Koppal area and Gadag area. 

This will be completed by June 2027 and will cost about $162,122 (INR1,354 crore).

The schemes will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding mode. These are part of 500 GW RE capacity by 2030, of which 200 GW are already connected, the government said.

$1 = INR83.51