India Accelerates Transmission Projects for 2030 Renewable Energy Goals

The Union Ministry of Power has moved to accelerate transmission system development to integrate a substantial quantum of additional renewable energy into the national grid, reinforcing India’s trajectory towards its 2030 non-fossil fuel capacity targets. The latest information placed before Parliament indicates that large-scale inter-state transmission projects for renewable evacuation are already under implementation, alongside a structured long-term transmission plan extending to the end of this decade.

According to a written reply submitted in the Rajya Sabha, the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) and other central agencies are progressing with an extensive build-out of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) to support new solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, and other non-fossil fuel generation capacity. The Ministry has clarified that the expansion of the transmission grid is being synchronised with the planned addition of renewable energy projects, and that current revocations of grid connectivity in some cases are linked to developer-side delays rather than inadequacies in transmission planning.[1][3]

Alignment with 2030 non-fossil capacity goals

The Government of India has set a national goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed power generation capacity by 2030. Of this, 50 per cent of total installed capacity is targeted to come from non-fossil fuel sources, including solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, and bioenergy.[1][3][6] As of the latest update to Parliament, approximately 259 GW of non-fossil generation capacity is already connected to the grid, indicating that more than half of the targeted capacity is operational.[1][3]

To bridge the remaining gap, the Ministry of Power has prepared and begun executing a long-term transmission plan that maps out requirements for evacuating additional renewable energy and other non-fossil capacity up to 2030. The plan incorporates generation capacity expected from ongoing schemes of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), as well as from state-level bids and public sector undertakings, and translates these into concrete transmission corridors and substations.

The approach is designed to ensure that transmission infrastructure does not become a bottleneck for renewable deployment. The Ministry has emphasised in its submissions that the revocation of grid access permissions for certain renewable projects, where it has occurred, should not be interpreted as a sign of shortfall in transmission planning for the 2030 target. Instead, these revocations have been linked to non-compliance with project milestones by developers, delays in achieving commercial operation dates, or non-submission of land and financial closure documents.[1][3]

Key transmission projects and capacity under implementation

The latest figures shared by the Ministry of Power show that transmission projects for evacuating a very substantial volume of additional renewable energy capacity are already under construction. Inter-State Transmission System infrastructure for integrating around 172 GW of renewable energy capacity is currently being implemented.[1][3] In addition, bids are in process for ISTS projects to evacuate a further 19 GW of capacity.[1][3]

These projects include new high-voltage transmission lines, pooling substations in renewable resource-rich regions, and associated grid-strengthening works. The transmission expansion is being undertaken in phases to match the expected commissioning timeline of renewable energy projects over the decade.

Parallel to ISTS works, the Government of India is coordinating with state governments to ensure that intra-state transmission networks are upgraded and expanded. The Ministry has indicated that intra-state transmission systems for the evacuation of about 152 GW of renewable energy are being developed in consultation with states.[1][3] This is critical because renewable generation is often located in remote or resource-rich districts, from where electricity must be transported first through state networks before reaching inter-state corridors.

In addition to renewable-focused lines, the long-term transmission plan incorporates corridors for hydropower and nuclear projects under construction or advanced planning stages, as well as system strengthening for reliability and flexibility. Together, the ISTS projects under implementation, the projects at the bidding stage, and the coordinated intra-state schemes constitute what the Ministry describes as a clear implementation roadmap for achieving the 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030.[1][2][3]

Policy and regulatory measures to support integration

The advancement of transmission projects is supported by a series of policy and regulatory measures adopted over the past few years. These steps aim to ensure that renewable energy, once generated, can be evacuated efficiently and dispatched economically across regions.

Among the key measures highlighted by the government are:

• Implementation of the Green Energy Corridor schemes, which focus on building dedicated transmission lines and substations for renewable-rich states and interstate corridors.[2][6]
• Provision of waivers of ISTS charges for specified periods for solar and wind projects, making it financially more attractive to connect renewable plants to the inter-state network and supply power to demand centres across India.[2][6]
• Preparation and periodic updating of a long-term transmission plan up to 2030, reflecting changes in demand projections, generation locations, and storage and balancing requirements.[2]
• Enhanced coordination between the Ministry of Power, MNRE, CTUIL, state transmission utilities, and regulators, including the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and State Commissions.[1][2][6]

These measures are meant to lower barriers to renewable integration and provide developers with predictable access to transmission capacity. The government has also flagged the increasing use of system studies and advanced planning tools to model renewable variability, forecast demand, and design corridors that can handle high shares of renewable energy without compromising grid stability.

Clarification on revocation of connectivity and project delays

In the same set of parliamentary replies, the Ministry of Power addressed concerns regarding the revocation of connectivity for some renewable energy projects. CTUIL has revoked connectivity of 24 grantees with a cumulative renewable energy capacity of around 6,343 MW since 2022.[1][3] These projects were located across several states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.[1]

The reasons cited for revocation include failure to comply with project milestones, annulment of letters of award, non-submission of land documents, non-submission of financial closure documents, and failure to achieve the scheduled commercial operation date.[1][3] The Ministry has underlined that these actions are undertaken under applicable regulations to ensure that transmission capacity is not indefinitely tied up with projects that are not progressing as committed.

A number of these cases are currently under consideration before the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, where developers have sought protection or contested revocation decisions. Sixteen petitions related to revocation of connectivity were stated to be pending before CERC at the time of the reply.[1]

The Ministry has categorically stated that the revocation of grid access permissions is “not due to shortfall in transmission planning for achieving the 2030 non-fossil capacity target” and that there is a clear implementation plan in place for the required transmission systems.[1][3]

This clarification is significant in the context of investor confidence and project pipeline visibility, because it separates issues related to project execution on the generation side from the broader question of readiness of the transmission network.

Integration of renewable energy with grid reliability

The acceleration of transmission projects is closely tied to the challenge of integrating a rising share of variable renewable energy into India’s electricity grid. Solar and wind generation are subject to weather and diurnal patterns, which require grid operators to manage fluctuations while maintaining frequency and voltage within prescribed limits.

The Ministry of Power and associated agencies are therefore focusing not only on building new corridors, but also on strengthening grid management capabilities. The long-term plan under implementation factors in the need for flexible resources, including hydro, gas-based peaking plants, battery energy storage systems, and demand response measures. Transmission corridors are being designed to enable power to flow from regions with surplus renewable generation to deficit regions in real time, thereby smoothing variability at the national level.

System operators at the national and regional load despatch centres are increasingly using advanced forecasting tools to anticipate renewable generation, which in turn informs scheduling and dispatch decisions. Transmission expansion enables greater geographic diversity of renewable resources, reducing overall variability and enhancing reliability.

Coordination with states and intra-state systems

While the ISTS expansion is a central responsibility, the effective integration of additional renewable capacity also depends on strengthening intra-state transmission systems. The Ministry has reported that it is working in close coordination with state governments and state transmission utilities to plan and implement intra-state transmission networks for about 152 GW of renewable energy.[1][3]

This coordination includes identification of renewable energy zones within states, planning of intra-state lines and substations from project locations to pooling stations, and ensuring alignment with ISTS connection points. States such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra host significant renewable resource potential and are key participants in this process.

Many of these states also have their own transmission augmentation plans and renewable policies, which must align with central plans to avoid congestion and stranded assets. The central government’s transmission roadmap is therefore being implemented through joint planning exercises, technical committees, and periodic reviews involving state utilities and regulators.

Complementary initiatives in distribution and metering

Transmission expansion is part of a larger set of reforms across the power sector, including distribution strengthening and smart metering, that indirectly support renewable integration. Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the Ministry of Power has sanctioned more than 20 crore smart meters based on proposals submitted by states, and 4.76 crore smart meters have already been installed.[7][8]

Smart meters and modernised distribution systems can facilitate better demand management, reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses, and enable time-of-day tariffs and other mechanisms that support flexible consumption. Together with robust transmission networks, these measures help accommodate higher shares of renewable energy while maintaining supply quality and financial sustainability for utilities.

Administrative and public impact of accelerated transmission projects

The advancement of transmission projects for integrating additional renewable capacity has several administrative and public implications.

From an administrative standpoint, the long-term transmission plan and its phased implementation provide a structured framework for central and state agencies. CTUIL, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), and state transmission utilities can sequence investments, coordinate technical standards, and plan substations and corridors with greater certainty. Regulatory approvals and tariff determinations by CERC and State Commissions can also be aligned with an agreed roadmap, reducing project-specific uncertainty.

Central and state governments gain clearer visibility on when and where renewable capacity can be reliably evacuated, which in turn influences renewable energy tenders, ultra mega renewable energy parks, and other procurement initiatives. The clarification that transmission is being developed in line with the 2030 target, and that revocations of connectivity are linked to project execution issues, helps maintain policy credibility.

For citizens and consumers, expanded transmission capacity supporting non-fossil generation can contribute to several medium to long term outcomes. Increased renewable integration can reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based generation and imported fuels, which has implications for energy security and price stability. Over time, this can support cost-effective power supply as renewable tariffs discovered in competitive bidding continue to remain low in many cases.

A more robust transmission grid, connecting diverse generation sources across regions, also enhances reliability and resilience. The ability to move power from surplus to deficit areas reduces the risk of localised shortages and enables better management of peak demand. As the share of renewable energy grows, transmission expansion and grid strengthening become important enablers of stable, quality power supply to households, industries, and essential services.

At the same time, effective coordination is required to ensure that transmission lines and substations are completed in synchrony with generation projects. Where generation lags behind, as reflected in some revoked connectivity cases, transmission assets may be underutilised for a period. Where transmission lags, renewable projects can face curtailment or delays in commissioning. The Ministry’s current emphasis on integrated planning and monitoring seeks to minimise such mismatches.

Future outlook for transmission and renewable integration

The Ministry of Power’s current communications underscore an ongoing shift towards anticipatory transmission planning that precedes or runs in parallel with renewable generation development, rather than reacting after capacity is commissioned. The scale of ISTS projects under implementation and at the bidding stage suggests that large corridors for renewable-rich areas, including desert and coastal regions, will play a central role in the future grid.[1][2][3]

As planning moves towards 2030, further attention is expected on integrating storage, strengthening cross-border interconnections where relevant, and deploying advanced technologies such as flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS), dynamic line rating, and digital monitoring. These developments will influence how effectively the additional renewable capacity targeted under various national and state schemes can be absorbed.

The integration of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 is a system-wide challenge that spans generation, transmission, distribution, and market design. The advancement of transmission projects described in recent parliamentary replies represents a core component of this effort. The Ministry of Power’s roadmap and actions so far indicate that the transmission segment is being prepared in a planned manner to accommodate the next wave of renewable energy capacity additions, in coordination with states, regulators, and other central ministries.