Gandhinagar, Jun 17 (KNN) Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) has announced plans to invest a staggering Rs 96,000 crore over the next eight years to bolster the state's transmission infrastructure.

This significant investment aims to address the growing renewable energy capacity in Gujarat and ensure efficient evacuation of electricity from wind and solar power plants to consumption centres.

Jai Prakash Shivahare, Managing Director, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), GETCO's parent company, unveiled these plans during the Global Wind Day event held in Delhi on Saturday.

Shivahare emphasised the need for enhanced transmission capabilities to transport electricity from the sparsely populated areas where wind and solar projects are concentrated, such as Kutch and northern Gujarat, to major consumption hubs like Ahmedabad, Morbi, Rajkot, and Vadodara.

Gujarat's current renewable energy capacity stands at an impressive 26,005 MW, comprising 11,823 MW from wind and 14,182 MW from solar power.

However, the state anticipates a substantial increase in renewable energy capacity between 2024-25 and 2030-31, with an expected addition of 22,546 MW of wind and 24,694 MW of solar power.

Additionally, Gujarat plans to augment its energy mix with 2,458 MW of coal-fired power (in 2028-29) and 1,620 MW of hydroelectric capacity during the same period.

To accommodate this substantial growth in renewable energy generation, GETCO has committed to providing connectivity to all applicants seeking access to the state's transmission network.

Shivahare stated, "If you apply for connectivity, we guarantee that we will give you connectivity."

GETCO, a profitable and underleveraged entity, has been investing approximately Rs 4,000 crore annually in transmission infrastructure.

The Gujarat state government is currently exploring options to raise loans to fund the ambitious Rs 96,000 crore transmission expansion project.

In parallel with these efforts, Gujarat has successfully concluded two tenders for battery-based energy storage systems, securing costs of Rs 4.43 and Rs 3.67 per kWh, respectively.

The winning companies, Indigrid, Gensol, and a consortium, will receive Rs 4.48 lakh and Rs 3.73 lakh per MW per month from GUVNL for supplying electricity during morning and evening peak periods using the battery storage systems.

Shivahare highlighted the economic and operational advantages of battery-stored wind and solar power, which is considerably cheaper than the Rs 8.5 to Rs 9 per kWh cost of using gas-based power plants to meet peak demand.

Furthermore, the flexibility offered by battery storage systems allows for more efficient grid management.

As Gujarat continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio, the state's proactive measures to strengthen transmission infrastructure and incorporate innovative energy storage solutions underscore its commitment to a sustainable and reliable energy future.

(KNN Bureau)