India Strengthens Transmission Infrastructure to Integrate Renewable Energy

The Government of India has outlined comprehensive measures to strengthen the country’s transmission infrastructure and energy storage systems, aimed at integrating large-scale renewable energy (RE) capacity and ensuring reliable, round-the-clock power supply. The update was provided by Shri Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Power, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

The government’s approach prioritizes grid readiness, transmission expansion, and deployment of energy storage systems as key components of India’s renewable energy transition and energy security strategy. Key initiatives include strengthening transmission networks, deploying smart grid technologies, and expanding energy storage capacity to address supply intermittency.

Transmission Infrastructure and Grid Operation

• Capacity Expansion: India’s transmission network is planned to expand from 5.04 lakh circuit km (Feb 2026) to 6.48 lakh circuit km by 2032, with transformation capacity increasing from 1,429 GVA to 2,345 GVA. Inter-regional transmission capacity will rise from 120 GW (2026) to 143 GW by 2027 and 168 GW by 2032.
• Green Energy Corridor (GEC): Implemented across ten states including Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, GEC-I and II are evacuating 44 GW of renewable energy.
• Advanced Transmission Links: High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) links with bi-directional flow are planned to improve long-distance transfer and grid controllability.
• Regulatory Support: CERC’s 2025 regulations enable solar-hour and non-solar-hour connectivity, promoting hybrid RE projects integrating solar, wind, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Technical standards have been established for safe and reliable RE grid connectivity.
• Grid Monitoring and Flexibility: Thirteen Renewable Energy Management Centres (REMCs) have been established for real-time monitoring. Hybrid RE plants, BESS, and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) are being promoted to mitigate variability and provide frequency support.

Deployment of Smart Grid Technologies

• Implementation of STATCOMs, Synchronous Condensers (SynCONs), and FACTS devices to improve voltage stability and system strength.
• Automatic Generation Control (AGC) and ancillary services deployed for frequency regulation.
• RDSS supports SCADA installations across 455 towns for improved distribution monitoring and control.

Development of Energy Storage Systems

• Two Viability Gap Funding (VGF) schemes approved for approximately 43.8 GWh of BESS capacity.
• Transmission fee waivers for co-located BESS projects and hydro PSPs commissioned or awarded up to June 2028.
• Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) guidelines issued for storage procurement from PSP, BESS, and firm renewable energy.
• Ministry of Heavy Industries’ PLI scheme with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore supports 50 GWh of Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing for grid-scale storage.
• Budgetary support provided for enabling infrastructure for hydro PSPs, including roads, transmission lines, and substations.
• Revised CEA guidelines streamline the approval process for pumped storage projects.

These initiatives are part of India’s broader plan to integrate over 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, enhance grid stability, and ensure reliable and sustainable electricity supply.