Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has won an inter-state transmission system (ISTS) project to evacuate 5.5 GW of renewable energy from the Jaisalmer/Barmer Complex.

REC Power Development and Consultancy (RECPDCL) conducted the tariff-based competitive bidding process to establish the “Transmission System for evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 2: 5.5 GW) (Jaisalmer/Barmer Complex): Part H1” on a build, own operate and transfer (BOOT) basis.

The project involves establishing a new 765/400/220 kV substation at Kurawar, 765 kV & 400 kV D/C Transmission Lines, and associated bay extension works at other existing substations in Madhya Pradesh.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Solar Energy Corporation of India have identified renewable energy zones in eight states with a total capacity of 181.5 GW for implementation by 2030. This includes 75 GW renewable energy potential in Rajasthan, comprising 15 GW wind and 60 GW solar.

A comprehensive transmission program for the evacuation of 75 GW of renewable energy capacity has already been developed in Rajasthan. This includes the transmission system for the evacuation of 5.5 GW  from the Jaisalmer/Barmer Complex.

In September 2024, PFC Consulting chose PGCIL to develop an ISTS project to expand the transformation capacity of the Jam Khambhaliya Power Station in Gujarat.

RECPDCL also handed over Bhadla-III Power Transmission to PGCIL at a cost of ₹64.2 million (~$765,151). The project involves developing an additional 20 GW transmission system to evacuate power from Bhadla-III PS as part of the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone Phase-III on a BOOT basis.

PGCIL had also bagged two other power transmission projects in Rajasthan through tariff-based competitive bidding to evacuate 5.5 GW of power from renewable energy zones in the state.

In August, the Central Electricity Authority released a draft amendment to the “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023.” The document outlines the planning procedures and criteria for developing the electricity transmission system in India.