Large scale grid integration of renewable energy sources – way forward
India is a country of continental size and this is helpful in balancing the variable output of renewable energy sources located in few states by integrating them into all India grid. The inter state and inter regional transmission infrastructure is already being developed and it is expected that all the five electrical regions of India would be synchronously connected in 2014. However, new transmission corridors would be required for evacuating green energy from states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and J & K (Ladakh). It has now been recognised by the transmission planners that in view of the short gestation period of RE plants, the transmission has to lead generation and would require upfront investment. Such transmission corridors required in the next five year time span have already been firmed up through the established process of coordinated transmission planning and their implementation is being taken up progressively. The report has been prepared on the basis of detailed discussions and inputs furnished by Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.