India To Invest Rs.12,031 Crore To Connect More Green Energy Projects To Grid
(EPT) : India’s cabinet approved a plan on Thursday to build intra state transmission lines & substations costing Rs.12,031 Crore in next 5 years to link 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects from seven states with the grid, as the nation moves to cut its carbon emissions.
Prime minister Narendra Modi last year announced 2070 as the target for India to reach net zero carbon emissions.
The federal government will provide assistance equal to about a third of the overall 120 billion rupee investment required for the expansion of transmission lines in the second phase of the so called green corridor project, a government statement said.
The scheme will add about 10,750 circuit kilometers of transmission lines, for projects in 7 states Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, it said.
“The scheme will also contribute to long-term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint. It will generate large direct and indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power sector and other related sectors,” the government said in a statement.
In the first phase of the project to be completed this year, India is building 9,700 circuit kilometers of transmission lines. The first phase is under implementation in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for grid integration and transmission of about 24 GW green energy.
In Dec 2021 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announced to achieve 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 at COP26 Climate Conference, the government said it has already achieved 40% of the target
“At COP 21, as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), India had committed to achieving 40% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030. The country has achieved this target in November 2021 itself,” informed the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in a press note.