Context
- Recently, the Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) to strengthen intra-state transmission and enable efficient evacuation and integration of renewable energy, supported by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
About the Green Energy Corridor
- The Green Energy Corridor (GEC) is a transmission initiative to facilitate the evacuation and grid integration of large-scale renewable energy, especially from solar and wind-rich regions.
- Planning began following a 2012 Power Grid Corporation study, with implementation starting in 2015.
Core Objectives & Targets
- RE Evacuation Capacity: Strengthens the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) to enable the evacuation of up to 135 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy across States and UTs.
- Energy Storage Integration: Deploys 50 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Target Timeline: Scheduled for completion by FY 2032–33.
- Long-Term Goal: Supports India’s broader objective of achieving 900 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity by 2035.
Key Technical & Operational Features
I. Grid Flexibility & Peak Management: The 50 GWh BESS capacity will be installed at RE generation sites or critical grid nodes. It targets issues including:
- Power intermittency and frequency fluctuations.
- Network congestion.
- Peak-hour curtailment (limiting active RE output).
- Demand during non-solar hours.
II. Implementation Models:
- Greenfield Projects: Executed via Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) through Transmission Service Providers under the Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) model.
- Brownfield Upgrades: Handled under a Cost Plus Basis (CPB).
- Nodal Agencies: State Transmission Utilities (STUs) act as primary implementation agencies.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC: Green Energy Corridor |
Q. With reference to the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III), consider the following statements:
1. It aims to facilitate the evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy.
2. It provides for deployment of 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems.
3. State Transmission Utilities will be the overall implementing agencies under the scheme.
4. All transmission projects under GEC-III will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
• Statement 1 is Correct: GEC-III aims to facilitate evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy.
• Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme provides for 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
• Statement 3 is Correct: State Transmission Utilities (STUs) will be the overall implementing agencies.
• Statement 4 iS Incorrect: Greenfield projects will follow Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB), whereas brownfield upgradation and network strengthening will be executed on a Cost Plus Basis (CPB).