Bikaner V renewable energy zone gets Rs 31,197 crore grid evacuation plan approved by NCT
The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has approved a major transmission scheme for evacuation of renewable energy from the Bikaner V Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in Rajasthan. The project, approved during the committee’s recent meeting, is estimated to cost Rs 31,197.04 crore and is designed to support integration of 6 GW of renewable energy into the national grid.
The scheme forms part of Rajasthan REZ Phase-IV (Part-6) and will be implemented over a 36-month period. According to the meeting minutes, the project has been divided into five separate packages to facilitate execution and phasing.
Project structure
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) have segmented the scheme into Parts A to E.
Part A has an estimated cost of Rs 6,948.78 crore, while Part B is estimated at Rs 8,617.14 crore. Part C is valued at Rs 8,349.40 crore and Part D at Rs 7,152.32 crore. Part E has a comparatively smaller estimated cost of Rs 129.41 crore. The total estimated project cost stands at Rs 31,197.04 crore.
Parts A, B, C and D will be implemented through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route through REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL). Part E will be implemented through the Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM) route by POWERGRID.
Cost concerns raised
Despite approving the scheme, members of the committee expressed concerns regarding the overall cost and long-term utilisation of the transmission infrastructure. The estimated project cost translates to more than Rs 5 crore per MW, which is significantly higher than comparable transmission systems planned elsewhere in the country.
CTUIL also presented projections indicating a potential generation surplus in the national grid by 2030-31. Under the Summer (June 2030) Solar Max scenario, the projected surplus was estimated at 95 GW. Even during monsoon and winter scenarios, projected surplus levels were estimated between 48 GW and 55 GW.
Expert Member Sh. S.R. Narasimhan raised concerns regarding the surplus situation, noting that the projections already assume thermal power plants operating at a technical minimum of 40%. He stated that if the technical minimum level increases to 55%, the surplus could rise by an additional 20 GW.
Connectivity approved
While the transmission scheme is intended to support evacuation of 6 GW, the NCT approved a total connectivity of 12 GW for the Bikaner V pooling station. This includes 6 GW of solar connectivity and 6 GW of non-solar connectivity.
Initially, 3 GW of solar and 3 GW of non-solar connectivity will be allocated to ESS projects along with corresponding renewable energy installations. The committee specified that firm connectivity will only be granted to projects that have secured either Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or Letters of Award (LOA).
For projects planning to operate under the merchant route, developers will be required to provide an undertaking confirming renewable energy installation within a maximum period of three years.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
