Context: The recently released National Electricity Plan document of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) notes that India and Sri Lanka have agreed on the detailed project report (DPR) for building a transmission line between the two countries. This marks a significant milestone in a journey that traces back to 2002.
Key Facts
- The project seeks to build a transmission link between New Habarana in Sri Lanka and New Madurai in India, crossing a 120 km stretch of sea.
- A detailed project report (DPR) has been agreed upon for the India-Sri Lanka grid interconnection. This will involve a 1000 MW VSC HVDC bipole line connecting New Madurai in India to Mannar in Sri Lanka, built in two phases of 500 MW each, with HVDC terminals at both ends.
- Wind industry sources believe the island nation has potential of 65 GW onshore — most of it can be transmitted to India, as Sri Lanka needs very little. This, sources said, is cheaper than offshore wind in India.
National Electricity Plan (Transmission) Highlights
- Aim for renewable energy:
- Aim for 500 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
- Target over 600 GW by 2032.
- Launched by
- Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal on October 14-15, 2024, during a CEA conclave in New Delhi.
- Planned Storage Systems:
- Plan includes development of:
- 47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems.
- 31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants.
- Plan includes development of:
- Green Hydrogen/Ammonia:
- Transmission system designed to support power delivery to manufacturing hubs at coastal locations (e.g., Mundra, Kandla, Gopalpur).
- Planned Transmission
- Over 1,91,000 ckm of transmission lines to be added from 2022-23 to 2031-32 (220 kV and above).
- 1270 GVA of transformation capacity planned.
- 33 GW of HVDC bipole links proposed.
- Inter-regional transmission capacity to increase from 119 GW to:
- 143 GW by 2027.
- 168 GW by 2032.
- International Interconnections:
- Plans include interconnections with Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and potential links with Saudi Arabia and UAE.
- Technology Innovations:
- Emphasis on new technology options such as:
- Hybrid Substations.
- Monopole Structures.
- Insulated Cross Arms.
- Dynamic Line Rating.
- High-Performance Conductors.
- Upgrading operating voltage to 1200 kV AC.
- Focus on skill development in the transmission sector.
- Emphasis on new technology options such as:
- Investment Opportunities:
- The plan outlines investment opportunities exceeding INR 9,15,000 Crores in the transmission sector by 2032.
- Several transmission schemes are under construction, bidding, or in the pipeline.