Why in the News?
- 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.
