Centre approves second phase of green energy corridor

The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) approved the second phase of green energy corridor, at a cost of over Rs 12,000 crore. The scheme aims to achieve the target of 450 gigawatt (GW) capacity by 2030.

The green energy corridor (GEC) is a comprehensive scheme for evacuation and integration of the renewable energy capacity through setting up of transmission lines and increasing transformation capacity of substations.

Under the second phase, the scheme will facilitate grid integration and power evacuation of approximately 20 GW of renewable energy power projects in seven states—Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The scheme on green energy corridor phase-II for intra-state transmission system (InSTS) is for addition of approximately 10,750 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines and 27,500 Mega Volt-Amperes (MVA) transformation capacity of substations.

Of the total Rs 12, 031.33 crore estimated cost, the Centre’s share will be 33 per cent of the project—Rs. 3970.34 crore. The transmission systems will be created over a period of five years, from Financial Year 2021-22 to 2025-26.  “The central financial assistance will help in offsetting the intra-state transmission charges and thus keep the power costs down. Thus, the government support will ultimately benefit the end users — the citizens of India,” CCEA said in a statement.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur said the scheme will contribute to long term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint. “It will generate large direct and indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power and other related sectors.”

This scheme is in addition to GEC Phase-I which is already under implementation in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for grid integration and power evacuation of 24 GW of renewable power, and is expected to be completed by 2022. The scheme is for addition of 9700 ckm of transmission lines and 22,600 MVA capacity of substations, having estimated cost of Rs. 10,141.68 crore with central financial assistance of Rs. 4056.67 crore.

Bridge over River Mahakali

To boost ties with neighbouring Nepal, the union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a memorandum of understanding between India and Nepal for construction of bridge over Mahakali River at Dharchula (India)- Dharchula (Nepal). The signing of MoU is expected to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries. “As close neighbours, India and Nepal share unique ties of friendship and cooperation characterised by an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture.  Both India and Nepal have been working together on different regional forums: SAARC, BIMSTEC as well as global fora,” the cabinet statement read.