India, March 16 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

Grid-readiness and stability for integrating large shares of renewable energy are continuously assessed through system studies, including load flow studies, dynamic stability studies, and contingency analysis. These studies evaluate the impact of renewable energy variability, intermittency and peak-load requirements on the grid.

The following measures are in place to ensure the smooth integration of RE into the national grid, maintain grid stability, manage intermittency, variability and peak-load balancing without risk of outages: -

To strengthen the transmission infrastructure in line with the growing electricity demand, the Government of India notified the National Electricity Plan (Volume-II Transmission) in 2024. The plan outlines the transmission system requirements for the period 2023 to 2032, commensurate with projected generation capacity additions to meet the projected electricity demand.

The peak electricity demand and electrical energy requirement are expected to reach 446 GW and 3215 BU respectively in 2034-35. To meet the projected electricity demand, adequate generation capacity has been planned in the country. In this regard, the Government of India has initiated the following capacity addition programme:

(A) The projected thermal (coal and lignite) capacity requirement by the year 2034-35 is estimated at approximately 3,07,000 MW as against the 2,11,855 MW installed capacity as on 31.03.2023. To meet this requirement, Ministry of Power has envisaged to set up an additional minimum 97,000 MW coal and lignite based thermal capacity.

To meet this requirement, several initiatives have already been undertaken. Thermal capacities of around 18,160 MW have already been commissioned since April 2023 till 31.01.2026. In addition, 38,745 MW of thermal capacity (including 4,845 MW of stressed thermal power projects) is currently under construction. The contracts of 22,920 MW have been awarded and are due for construction. Further, 24,020 MW of coal and lignite-based candidate capacity has been identified which is at various stages of planning in the country.

(B) 12,723.50 MW of Hydro Electric Projects are under construction. Further, 4,274 MW of Hydro Electric Projects are under various stage of planning and targeted to be completed by 2031-32.

(C) 6,600 MW of Nuclear Capacity is under construction and targeted to be completed by 2029-30. 7,000 MW of Nuclear Capacity is under various stages of planning and approval.

(D) 1,57,800 MW Renewable Capacity including 67,280 MW of Solar, 6,500 MW of Wind and 60,040 MW Hybrid power is under construction while 48,720 MW of Renewable Capacity including 35,440 MW of Solar and 11,480 MW Hybrid Power is at various stages of planning and targeted to be completed by 2029-30. 

(E) In energy storage systems, 11,620 MW/69,720 MWh Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) are under construction. Further, a total of 6,580 MW/39,480 MWh capacity of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) are concurred and yet to be taken up for construction. Currently, 9,653.94 MW/ 26,729.32 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity are under construction and 19,797.65 MW/ 61,013.40 MWh BESS capacity are under tendering stage.

This Information was given by The Minister of State in the Ministry Of Power, Shri Shripad Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.