JAMMU, Dec 15: Inter-State Transmission System for 13 Giga Watt (GW) Renewable Energy (RE) Project in the Union Territory of Ladakh, which will ensure reliable power supply to Leh and Kargil as well as Union Territory of JAMMU and Kashmir, will be completed by 2029-30. However, at present the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) of power and Average Revenue Realization (ARR) as well as accumulated losses in Ladakh have increased because of several factors.
About Green Energy Corridor Phase-II—Inter-State Transmission System for 13 GW Renewable Energy Project along with 12 GWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Ladakh, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) informed the Standing Committee comprising of 31 Members of Parliament that Inter-State Transmission System is being set up for power evacuation and grid integration of 13 GW renewable energy projects and dispatch of power from the UT of Ladakh to other parts of the country.
“The project will also ensure reliable power supply to the Ladakh region as well as Jammu & Kashmir. The transmission project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 18.10.2023 and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) is the implementing agency for this project”, the Ministry said, adding “the project cost for this transmission project is Rs 20,773.70 crore (excluding Interest During Construction of Rs 2168.69 crore) and the central grant at the rate of 40% of project cost is Rs 8,309.48 crore”.
Informing that the project is anticipated to be completed by Financial Year 2029-30, the MNRE said that under this project, 1268 circuit kilometers transmission lines and two High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) terminals of 5000 MW capacity each would be setup.
In order to ensure that Phase-II of Intra-State Green Energy Corridor and Inter-State Transmission Project in Ladakh do not get delayed, Standing Committee has recommended the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to take into account the reasons for delayed implementation of Phase-I and proactively persuade the concerned stakeholders from the initial stage itself to ensure timely completion of project.
“Being the dominant player in transmission sector, we expect PGCIL to have the technological knowhow and manpower to execute the Ladakh project within the given budget and timeline. Moreover, the Ministry should closely monitor the project for its timely completion”, the Standing Committee has stressed.
It is pertinent to mention here that the transmission line for evacuating power will pass through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab up to Kaithal in Haryana where it will be integrated with the National Grid. An interconnection is also planned from this project in Leh to existing Ladakh grid so as to ensure reliable power supply to the Ladakh.
It will also be connected to Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line to provide power to Jammu and Kashmir. The project will contribute to achieving the target of 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by year 2030. Moreover, the project will also help in developing long term energy security of the country and promote ecologically sustainable growth by reducing carbon footprint.
It will also generate large direct and indirect employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled personnel in power and other related sectors especially in Ladakh region.
As per the report of the Standing Committee, the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) of power and Average Revenue Realization (ARR) as well as accumulated losses in Ladakh have increased because of several factors.
Expressing concern over this situation, the Standing Committee has mentioned that this trend may hamper the reduction of Aggregated Transmission and Commercial (AT&C) losses as such the Ministry of Power should take up the matter with the concerned DISCOM so as to avoid further deterioration of the condition. Further, the Committee has laid thrust on strengthening of power distribution infrastructure and installation of smart meters as expeditiously as possible.
