GETCO will spend ₹96,000 crore over the following eight years building transmission infrastructure within the state to prepare for vacating the rising renewable energy capacity.
Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) is set to invest ₹96,000 crore over the next eight years to develop transmission infrastructure within Gujarat.
This move aims to support the evacuation of the state’s burgeoning renewable energy capacity, according to Jai Prakash Shivahare, Managing Director of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd, GETCO’s parent company. He shared these plans during the Global Wind Day event held in Delhi.
Expanding Renewable Energy Capacity
Gujarat’s renewable energy landscape is rapidly expanding.
Currently, the state boasts 11,823 MW of wind and 14,182 MW of solar power, totaling 26,005 MW. Between 2024-25 and 2030-31, Gujarat anticipates adding 22,546 MW of wind and 24,694 MW of solar energy, which will increase the state’s total renewable energy (RE) capacity to 73,245 MW.
Additionally, the state plans to add 2,458 MW of coal power in 2028-29 and 1,620 MW of hydro power over the same period.
Infrastructure Needs and Strategic Locations
Shivahare highlighted that much of this renewable capacity is being developed in sparsely populated areas such as Kachchh and northern Gujarat, while major consumption centers are located in cities like Ahmedabad, Morbi, Rajkot, and Vadodara.
This geographical distribution necessitates significant investment in transmission infrastructure to ensure efficient energy distribution.
Financial Strategy and Investment Plans
GETCO has been allocating approximately ₹4,000 crore annually towards transmission infrastructure. To meet the growing demands over the next eight years, this expenditure will increase.
Shivahare emphasized that GETCO is a profitable and under-leveraged company, and the Gujarat state government is considering raising loans to fund these projects.
Battery-Based Energy Storage Initiatives
In addition to expanding transmission infrastructure, Gujarat has made significant strides in battery-based energy storage.
The state completed two tenders for battery storage in March and June, achieving levelised costs of ₹4.43 and ₹3.67 per kWhr, respectively. Each tender accounts for 250 MW of capacity, with the second including a greenshoe option for an additional 250 MW. Indigrid and Gensol secured the projects in the first tender, while Gensol won the second.
Commitment to Renewable Energy Connectivity
Shivahare assured stakeholders at the Global Wind Day event that GETCO is committed to providing connectivity for renewable energy projects.
“If you apply for connectivity, we guarantee that we will give you connectivity,” he stated, underscoring GETCO’s dedication to supporting Gujarat’s renewable energy growth.
Through these substantial investments and strategic initiatives, GETCO aims to facilitate the efficient integration and distribution of renewable energy, ensuring Gujarat’s continued leadership in sustainable energy development.
