National Electricity Plan aims to meet rising power demand, RE of 500GW by 2030

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has prepared a detailed National Electricity Plan (NEP) intending to achieve 500 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030 and 600 GW by 2032. The NEP, launched by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, was prepared in consultation with various stakeholders over a two-day brainstorming conclave organized by the CEA in New Delhi.

The National Electricity Policy (NEP) considers the requirement for 47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems and 31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants. The transmission system is designed to supply power to green hydrogen and green ammonia manufacturing hubs located in coastal sites like Mundra, Kandla, Gopalpur, Paradeep, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, and Mangaluru.

Additionally, the plan includes cross-border connections with Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and potential interconnections with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

According to the National Electricity Plan, over 191,000 circuit kilometers (km) of transmission lines and 1,270 GVA of transformation capacity are planned to be added during the 10 years from 2022-23 to 2031-32 (at voltage levels of 220 kV and 33 GW of HVDC bi-pole links have also been planned. The inter-regional transmission capacity is set to increase to 143 GW by 2027 and 168 GW by 2032, up from the current level of 119 GW.

The transmission plan highlights new technology options in the transmission sector, including Hybrid Substations, Monopole Structures, Insulated Cross Arms, Dynamic Line Rating, High-Performance Conductors, and an upgrade of the maximum operating voltage to 1200 kV AC, as well as skill development in the transmission sector.

With several transmission schemes currently under construction, in the bidding phase, and in the pipeline, the plan aims to provide visibility to investors regarding the substantial investment opportunity of over Rs 9.15 lakh crore in the power transmission sector by 2032.