Cabinet greenlights 13 GW renewable energy project in Ladakh

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II - Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for a massive 13 gigawatt renewable energy project in Ladakh. This ambitious project aims for completion by the financial year 2029-30, with an estimated total cost of Rs 20,773.70 crore, of which the central government will provide 40 percent - Rs 8,309.48 crore - as financial assistance.

Given the challenging terrain, harsh climate, and strategic sensitivities of the Ladakh region, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) will oversee the implementation of this project. The transmission line for evacuating the generated power will traverse through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, terminating in Kaithal, Haryana, where it will integrate with the national grid.

An interconnection is also planned from this project in Leh to the existing Ladakh grid to ensure a reliable power supply. Additionally, it will connect to the Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line to provide power to Jammu and Kashmir. The project encompasses setting up 713 km of transmission lines (including 480 km of HVDC line) and 5 GW capacity of HVDC terminals in Pang (Ladakh) and Kaithal (Haryana).

This initiative aligns with India's aim to achieve 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030, and it marks a significant step towards the ambitious target of 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030. The Cabinet's approval of this transformative project underscores the government's commitment to sustainable energy and reducing dependence on imported fuel.