Rajasthan to export 4,000 MW clean energy to other states by early 2019
PLANS Zero interstate transmission charges will be applicable to projects that are connected to grid by Dec 2019 SYSTEM PLANNING AND PROJECT APPRAISAL DIVISION OF CEA HAS FOUND THAT AT LEAST FIVE 765 KV TRANSMISSION LINES
WILL BE REQUIRED JAIPUR:
Rajasthan will start exporting 4,000 MW renewable energy (solar and wind) to other states within one year once an integrated power evacuation system is completed, a senior official said.
Presently, a transmission line for 765-KV Bhadla-Bikaner grid sub-station (GSS) is being set in the state, which will be linked to the Green Corridor that connects Moga in Punjab to Banaskanta in Gujarat. “Once the work on 765 KV GSS line is completed in about one year, it will be linked to the Green Corridor. It will enable Rajasthan to start inter-state export of 4,000 MW clean energy (solar and wind) through the Banaskanta-Chittorgarh-AjmerBikaner-Moga line,” RRECL managing director BK Dosi said.
The linking to the Green Corridor is crucial, as discoms in Rajasthan will only be able to lift a part of total solar and wind power generation once ultra mega solar projects get commissioned by March 2019. Out of 4,000 MW, the 2,255 MW Bhadla solar park, once fully commissioned, will supply 750 MW exclusively to Uttar Pradesh.
Work on a number of solar projects in Rajasthan is in full swing, as the zero interstate transmission charges will be applicable only for those projects that are connected to grid by December 2019, Dosi said.
According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data, the anticipated load-generation of Rajasthan corresponding to financial year 2021-22 indicates that the state would be in surplus by 5,030 MW.
The system planning and project appraisal division of CEA has envisaged that there would be requirement of at least five 765 KV transmission lines. The mega solar parks in Rajasthan are coming up at Bhadla (Jodhpur), Parewar (Jaisalmer), Fatehgarh (Jaisalmer), Pokaran (Jaisalmer) and Pugal (Bikaner) with big names including Adani, IL&FS, and Essel Infra setting up projects.
At present, the clean energy from Rajasthan is being evacuated through two 400 KV GSS and nine 220 KV GSS. Since Rajasthan will not be able to absorb the quantum of envisaged solar and wind power generation, it would have to be transmitted to other parts of the country, but that will require robust transmission infrastructure and development of inter-state transmission system.
Once fully operational, the Bhadla solar park will generate 2,255 MW, making it one of the largest solar parks in the world. The park, being developed in four phases, is currently generating 746 MW and phase 3 of 1,000 MW is under implementation.