The Green Energy Corridor of India is a government-led project aimed at building infrastructure to extract excess energy from renewable sources in select states and integrate it with the national grid of India. The goal is to transport this energy to regions in need. The first phase of the project, launched in 2015-16 with a budget of 10,000 crores, focused on constructing 22.6 GVA electrical substations and laying down 9,700 km of transmission lines, with the aim of extracting 24 GW of renewable energy.
The project is being implemented in eight states that are rich in renewable energy potential. The second phase of the project, approved recently, aims to build 27.5 GVA capacity electrical substations and lay down 10,750 km long transmission lines, with the goal of extracting 20 GW of renewable energy. The Green Energy Corridor is expected to contribute to India’s eco-friendly development, long-term energy security, job creation, carbon emission reduction, and meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement 2016.
Green Energy Corridor Phase 1
The Green Energy Corridor Phase 1 started in 2015-16 with a budget of around 10,000 crores. It’s expected to be finished by 2022 and also known as the Intra State Transmission System (InSTS). The purpose of the project is to build infrastructure to transfer excess energy generated from renewable sources in eight states (Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh) to the national grid of India, so it can be sent to areas in need of energy.
The project will include the construction of 22.6 GVA electrical substations and the installation of 9,700 km of transmission lines, which will allow the extraction of up to 24 GW of renewable energy. The State Transmission Utilities (STUs) are in charge of carrying out the project.
The funding for the project is divided as follows: 40% from the Central Government, 20% from the State Government, and 40% borrowed as a loan from KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) in Germany. KfW is a leading developmental bank based in Germany that provides funding for development projects in select developing countries.
Green Energy Corridor Phase 2
Green Energy Corridor Phase 2 is the continuation of the first phase with similar goals and plans. The Indian government recently approved this phase of the project. Its objectives are to build 27.5 GVA electrical substations and lay down 10,750 km of transmission lines in the same eight states as phase 1. This will allow for the extraction of up to 20 GW of renewable energy. The estimated cost of phase 2 is around 12,000 crores, with 33% of it being paid by the Central Government. The project will start in 2022 and is expected to be completed within 5 years, by 2027.
The Green Energy Corridor is significant because it promotes eco-friendly development, improves the country’s long-term energy security, creates job opportunities, helps India reduce its carbon emissions, and meets India’s goal of producing 50% of its electricity from renewable sources, as pledged in the Paris Agreement 2016.
Major Renewable Energy Sources in India
Major Renewable Energy Sources in India and Their Share in Total Power Generated as of 2023:
- Solar Energy: 10.61%
- Wind Energy: 10.59%
- Hydroelectric Energy: 13.34%
- Biomass Energy: 0.05%
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Negligible
- Geothermal Power: Negligible
- Nuclear Energy: 1.83%
