National Committee Proposes Rs 225.40 Bn Projects for Power Ministry
The National Committee for Transmission (NCT) has recommended transmission projects worth Rs 225.40 billion for approval by the Ministry of Power, marking a significant step towards enhancing India's power infrastructure. Among the key proposals are two major transmission initiatives in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, each estimated to cost around Rs 60 billion. These projects aim to integrate the initial offshore wind projects into the national grid, which is crucial for advancing India’s renewable energy goals.
The Rs 225.40 billion recommendation includes a variety of projects. One notable project, the Gujarat Offshore Wind Project, is estimated at Rs 69 billion and focuses on transmitting power from proposed offshore wind farms along the Gujarat coast. Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Offshore Wind Project, with a cost estimate of Rs 62.42 billion, is designed to establish transmission infrastructure for offshore wind energy along the Tamil Nadu coast.
Additionally, the committee has proposed a project valued at Rs 16.63 billion to enhance transmission infrastructure in the Western Region, specifically targeting power generated from upcoming pumped storage projects. Another critical component involves the augmentation of the Bhuj-II Substation, which will require an investment of Rs 5.87 billion to increase transformation capacity and add bus reactors.
These initiatives align with the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) draft plan, which outlines a requirement of ₹4.75 trillion by 2027 to develop India’s transmission infrastructure. This investment is deemed essential to support the expected growth in renewable energy capacity and to ensure reliable power transmission across the country.
The NCT emphasized the need for rapid development in transmission capabilities to meet India’s ambitious renewable energy targets. The committee noted in its meeting that integrating offshore wind projects and pumped storage capacity is crucial for achieving the nation’s energy transition goals. It highlighted the proposed transmission projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as essential components of this broader strategic expansion.