CEA plans RE-based transmission of 613 GW by 2032

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has outlined a comprehensive plan to build transmission capacity for 613 GW of renewable energy by 2032. In its latest ‘National Electricity Plan,’ the CEA projects that India’s non-fossil fuel capacity will reach 653 GW by 2031-32. This includes 385 GW from solar (with 60 GW from rooftop solar), 165 GW from wind, 62.8 GW from hydro, 19.6 GW from nuclear, 15.5 GW from biomass, and 5.4 GW from small hydro. The overall installed electricity generation capacity is expected to reach 997 GW by that time.

With current solar and wind capacities of 90 GW and 47 GW, respectively, the CEA expects an addition of 295 GW in solar and 118 GW in wind capacity over the next eight years.

To support this expansion, the CEA has planned for several STATCOMs, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and pumped storage plants to enhance grid stability. The estimated investment for transmission systems of 220 kV and above is Rs 4,900 billion, including Rs 3,900 billion for inter-state and Rs 993 billion for intra-state systems, required from 2027 to 2032.