The Government of India has greenlighted new Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) programs totaling ₹135.95 billion (~$1.63 billion) to evacuate 9 GW of renewable energy from Rajasthan and Karnataka.

The first program focuses on the Rajasthan renewable energy zone, designed to evacuate 4.5 GW of renewable power. This includes 1 GW in Fatehgarh Complex, 2.5 GW in Barmer Complex, and 1 GW in Nagaur (Merta) Complex.

The energy generated from these areas will be transferred to the Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur, and Orai in Uttar Pradesh. The project, estimated to cost approximately ₹122.41 billion (~$1.46 billion), is scheduled for completion in two years.

The second program addresses system strengthening in Karnataka to evacuate another 4.5 GW of renewable energy, specifically from the Koppal and Gadag areas. This program, with a budget of about ₹13.54 billion (~$162.1 million), is expected to be completed by June 2027.

These programs will be implemented through the tariff-based competitive bidding mode and are integral to India’s target of achieving 500 GW of RE capacity by 2030, with 200 GW already connected to the grid.

Mercom had reported that achieving India’s clean energy goals would be challenging if transmission infrastructure does not keep pace with the rise in connectivity applications due to a surge in renewable energy installations. Stakeholders had said cross-country transmission lines encounter right-of-way issues, among others.

Earlier this year, the government-owned power transmission utility Power Grid Corporation of India approved investments in two projects totaling ₹6.5 billion (~$79.03 million). This includes an investment of ₹5.1 billion (~$62.03 million) to upgrade SCADA and energy management systems at northern State Load Dispatch Centres.

In July 2023, the Ministry of Power approved a request from Gadag II-A Transmission to set up overhead transmission lines for 1,500 MW of solar projects in Gadag, Karnataka. The transmission lines were to be set up under the ‘Transmission Plan for Solar Energy Zone in Gadag (1,500 MW), Part A-Phase II.’