The Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) on 30 September 2026 to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) for renewable energy integration. pasted
Key Highlights
Target: Evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy across States/UTs.
Target completion:FY 2032-33.
Total project outlay:₹1,86,405 crore.
Intra-State Transmission Systems: ₹1,36,378 crore
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): ₹50,000 crore
Central Financial Support (CFS): ₹54,082 crore.
BESS deployment:50 GWh.
Aims to support India’s target of 900 GW installed Non-Fossil capacity by 2035.
Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS)
Focuses on grid integration and power evacuation within States/UTs.
Greenfield projects: Implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB).
Brownfield upgradation/network strengthening: Implemented on Cost Plus Basis (CPB).
State Transmission Utilities (STUs): Overall implementing agencies.
Transmission Service Providers (TSPs): Participate under TBCB through Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) model.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
50 GWh BESS will be deployed.
Can be located at:
Renewable Energy developer/generator end, or
Other locations important for grid flexibility.
Addresses:
Renewable energy intermittency
Grid congestion
Peak-hour curtailment
Demand during non-solar hours
BESS deployment will support the development of the domestic energy storage industry.
Prelims Quick Revision
GEC-III: Approved by Union Cabinet in September 2026.
Renewable energy evacuation capacity: 135 GW.
BESS deployment: 50 GWh.
Total outlay: ₹1,86,405 crore.
Central Financial Support: ₹54,082 crore.
Target completion: FY 2032-33.
Supports 900 GW installed Non-Fossil capacity by 2035.
Greenfield = TBCB; Brownfield = CPB.
UPSC Prelims Trap
GEC-III is focused on Intra-State transmission, not solely inter-state transmission.
50 GWh refers to BESS deployment, while 135 GW refers to renewable energy evacuation capacity.
TBCB applies to greenfield InSTS projects, whereas CPB applies to brownfield upgradation and network strengthening.
STUs are the overall implementing agencies; TSPs participate under the TBCB model.
