The Green Energy Corridor is a series of infrastructure projects aimed at synchronizing the power generated from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydro, etc. with the conventional national grid of India. The project is divided into two parts i.e. Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Launched in the year 2015 -16, the Green Energy Corridor aims at making electricity usage, transmission, and generation more efficient, less risky, and more reliable.
The topic has a high probability of being asked as an Environment Questions or as an Economy Questions in IAS Prelims.
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Green Energy Corridor Phase 1
The first phase of the project was launched in the year 2015-16 with a budget of around Rs. 10,000 Crores. It is estimated to be completed by the year 2022. The name of this phase is also called as “Intra State Transmission System (InSTS)”. The project’s sole aim is to build infrastructure so as to be able to extract the excess energy produced from renewable sources in these states and sync it with the national grid of India so that it could be transported to energy-deficient regions.
Under the project around 22.6 GVA (Gigavolt Amperes) of electrical substations would be constructed, and around 9,700 km long transmission lines are to be laid down which will allow extracting as much as 24 GW (Giga Watts) of renewable energy.
Respective State Transmission Utilities (STUs) are responsible for implementing the project.
Fact: Electrical Substations are part of the power generation, transmission, and distribution system, wherein they convert the voltage from high to low or vice-versa.
It is under implementation in the following 8 states:
- Tamil Nadu
- Rajasthan
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Himachal Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
Fact: The above eight states are also the most renewable energy rich states of India, in terms of their potential to generate gross renewable energy from various sources.
The funding pattern of the project is as per the below scheme:
- 40 % from Central Government grant.
- 20 % from State Government equity.
- 40 % borrowed as loan from KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Germany.
Fact: KfW is one of the world’s leading developmental banks, situated and operating from Germany. It provides developmental grants funded by the German Federal Government to select developing countries for various developmental projects.
Green Energy Corridor Phase 2
Phase 2 isn’t much different in terms of goals and approach from the GEC phase 1. Recently the Union Government of India approved phase 2 of the Green Energy Corridor (GEC). Following are the new objectives under phase 2 of GEC:
- Construction of 27.5 GVA (Gigavolt Amperes) capacity electrical substations.
- Laying down 10,750 kilometres long transmission lines.
Phase 2 will also be implemented in the same eight states as in the first phase. It will allow extracting as much as 20 GW (Giga Watts) of renewable energy. The estimated cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs. 12,000 crores, of which 33% will be borne by the Central Government. The second phase of GEC will begin in 2022 and is expected to finish within 5 years i.e. by 2027.
Note: UPSC 2023 is approaching closer, supplement your preparation with the free Economy Notes for UPSC by BYJU’s.
Significance
- It’ll help in ecologically sustainable development.
- It will also add to the long term energy security of our country.
- The whole project in itself is and will generate many employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers.
- It’ll help India meet its target of reducing carbon emissions.
- It’ll help India fulfill its commitments made at the Paris Agreement 2016 under its “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” to produce 50% of its total electricity generation from renewable sources.
Renewable Energy Sources
Following are the major renewable energy sources being exploited in India and their relative share of the total energy produced:
| S. No. | Energy Source | Share in Total Power Generated |
| 1 | Solar Energy | 10.61% |
| 2 | Wind Energy | 10.59% |
| 3 | Hydroelectric Energy | 13.34% |
| 4 | Biomass Energy | 0.05% |
| 5 | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells | Negligible |
| 6 | Geothermal Power | Negligible |
| 7 | Nuclear Energy | 1.83% |
Renewable Energy Potential States in India
The data below is provided by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.
Top 5 States with Highest Wind Energy Potential
| S. No. | State | Wind Energy Generation Potential (Giga Watts) |
| 1 | Gujarat | 142.56 GW |
| 2 | Rajasthan | 127.75 GW |
| 3 | Karnataka | 124.15 GW |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 98.21 GW |
| 5 | Andhra Pradesh | 74.90 GW |
Top 5 States with Highest Solar Energy Potential
| S. No. | State | Solar Energy Generation Potential (Mega Watts) |
| 1 | Karnataka | 7.1 MW |
| 2 | Telangana | 5.0 MW |
| 3 | Rajasthan | 4.4 MW |
| 4 | Andhra Pradesh | 3.47 MW |
| 5 | Gujarat | 2.654 MW |
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