Gujarat plans to develop transmission infrastructure worth ₹ 96,000 crore

According to Jai Prakash Shivahare, managing director, Gujarat Urja Vikas, Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) will spend ₹ 96,000 crore in the next 8 years to build transmission infrastructure in the state to be ready to accommodate the growing renewable energy generation capacity in the state. – Nigam Ltd, the parent company of GETCO, announced on Saturday. He was speaking at the World Wind Day event held in Delhi.

Later talking to business lineShivahare pointed out that much of the wind and solar power is generated in sparsely populated areas like Kachh and north Gujarat, while the consumption centers are in places like Ahmedabad, Morbi, Rajkot and Vadodara.

• Also Read: Gensol Engineering Bags Worth Rs 1,340 Crore BESS Project From Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam

RE’s big plans

Gujarat currently has 11,823 MW of wind power and 14,182 MW of solar power, for a total of 26,005 MW. Between 2024-25 and 2030-31, the state expects to add 22,546 MW of wind power and 24,694 MW of solar power, bringing total renewable energy capacity to 73,245 MW. During these 7 years, the state also plans to add 2,458 MW of coal (in 2028-29) and 1,620 MW of hydro capacity. Therefore, there is a need to build appropriate transmission capacities in the country.

“If you apply for connectivity, we guarantee that we will provide it,” Shivahare told the crowd at the World Wind Day event.

He said business line that GETCO spends around ₹4,000 crore on transmission infrastructure every year, so it will only have to spend more in the next 8 years. Noting that GETCO is a profitable and under-indebted company, he said the Gujarat government is considering the possibility of taking loans for these projects.

£3.67 per unit storage cost

Meanwhile, the state completed two battery-based energy storage tenders – in March and June – and achieved average storage costs of £4.43 and £3.67 per kWh, respectively. Each tender is for a capacity of 250 MW, but a greenshoe option of the same capacity is available in the second tender. Two companies, Indigrid and Gensol, submitted projects for the first tender, and Gensol for the second.

GUVNL will pay companies ₹4.48 lakh and ₹3.73 lakh per MW per month. Input power will be provided by GUVNL. Companies are expected to maintain the battery storage system in such a way that storage losses do not exceed 15%. Storage companies are expected to provide electricity for two hours during the morning and evening peak hours.

Currently, Gujarat meets the morning and evening peak demand using gas-fired power plants with a unit cost of ₹8.5 and ₹9 per kWh. Shivahare said wind and solar power stored in batteries is much cheaper. What’s more, because the battery can be turned on and off, “it gives us a lot of flexibility in how we operate.”

• Also Read: Gujarat Bags Award for Highest Installed Wind Power Capacity