India’s renewable energy sector is experiencing remarkable growth, but the country’s power transmission network is struggling to keep up. Unfortunately, recent analyses have found that India’s renewable energy capacity is growing at a pace several times quicker than the transmission infrastructure required to support it. Consequently, more than 50 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity remains stranded across the country. We believe that this is a critical moment with far reaching consequences for our nation’s energy future.
Rajasthan, like many states, faces considerable challenges in its efforts to harness its vast renewable energy potential. Right now, it has 8GW of renewable capacity that still go unused due to stringent ecological regulations. These rules mandate all underground cabling in sensitive habitats, which stalls the progress of critical infrastructure. This situation highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address the disparity between renewable energy generation and transmission capacity.
Slow Progress in Transmission Expansion
In FY25, India even managed to commission 8830 new circuit kilometers of transmission lines. This 42% shortfall is alarming to say the least. It calls into question the long-term transmission network’s ability to accommodate future growth. Solar energy production tends to be highest in the afternoon, at the same time that demand is highest. As energy production winds down around dinnertime, we need to get much more efficient with our infrastructure and consumption overall.
The current underutilization of transmission corridors only adds to the problem. Solar energy production decreases at times of high demand. Further, India’s gaps in transmission capability prevent the nation from fully utilizing its renewable potential. This highlights the imperative to make the transmission network much more flexible and resilient.
The Green Energy Corridor Initiative
The Green Energy Corridor initiative has made strides in addressing these issues by facilitating the commissioning of 27.45GW of renewable capacity. On top of that, an impressive 36GW is currently in the development pipeline under this initiative. Although these numbers are encouraging, they paint a stark picture of the challenges that remain in matching transmission capacity to renewable energy production.
A comprehensive, united approach that includes regulatory improvements, operational reforms and capital mobilization are crucial for India to realize the potential of its eagle-eyed transmission network. Stakeholders must work together to ensure that investment and policy frameworks support the rapid expansion of transmission infrastructure to match the pace of renewable energy growth.
The Path Forward
Aiming to break down these challenges will necessitate the kind of financial investment and creative, cutting-edge strategies to overcome regulatory obstacles. By prioritizing flexibility and resilience in the transmission network, India can better utilize its renewable resources and meet its energy demands efficiently.