The Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) has announced an ambitious investment of ₹96,000 crore over the next eight years. The investment aims to enhance the state’s transmission infrastructure, ensuring the efficient evacuation of the rapidly growing renewable energy capacity.
This strategic plan was revealed by Jai Prakash Shivahare, Managing Director of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), GETCO’s parent company, during the Global Wind Day event in Delhi. Shivahare highlighted that much of Gujarat’s new wind and solar capacities are emerging in sparsely populated regions such as Kachchh and northern Gujarat. In contrast, the primary consumption centres are located in Ahmedabad, Morbi, Rajkot, and Vadodara. To address this disparity, substantial transmission infrastructure is necessary to transport energy from production to consumption hubs efficiently. Currently, Gujarat boasts 11,823 MW of wind energy and 14,182 MW of solar energy, totalling 26,005 MW of renewable energy capacity. The state projects an addition of 22,546 MW of wind and 24,694 MW of solar between 2024-25 and 2030-31, which will elevate the total renewable energy capacity to an impressive 73,245 MW. Additionally, the state plans to add 2,458 MW of coal-based power in 2028-29 and 1,620 MW of hydro power during the same period, further necessitating robust transmission infrastructure.
Shivahare noted that GETCO has been consistently investing around ₹4,000 crore annually in transmission infrastructure. To meet the projected needs, this annual investment will need to increase. He assured that GETCO, being a profitable and under-leveraged entity, is well-positioned to raise the required funds, with the Gujarat state government actively exploring loan options for these projects In a parallel development, Gujarat has completed two tenders for battery-based energy storage in March and June, achieving levelised storage costs of ₹4.43 and ₹3.67 per kWhr, respectively. Each tender aims to develop 250 MW of capacity, with the second tender offering a greenshoe option for an equivalent capacity. Indigrid and Gensol secured the projects in the first tender, while Gensol also won the second tender.
GUVNL has committed to paying ₹4.48 lakh and ₹3.73 lakh per MW per month to the companies. These firms will be responsible for maintaining the battery storage systems, ensuring that storage loss does not exceed 15 percent. They are expected to supply electricity for two hours each during the morning and evening peak periods, with GUVNL providing the input energy. This comprehensive plan underscores Gujarat’s proactive approach to integrating renewable energy into its grid, ensuring sustainable and reliable energy supply while supporting the state’s economic growth. At present, Gujarat is meeting the morning and evening peak demand by using gas based power plants, where the per-unit cost works out to ₹8.5 and ₹9 a kWhr. Battery-stored wind and solar works out considerably cheaper, Shivahare said. Further, since a battery can be switched on and off, “it gives us tremendous flexibility in operation.”
