Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) will invest ₹96,000 crore over the next eight years to expand transmission infrastructure, supporting the state’s ambitious renewable energy growth. This initiative aims to accommodate the expected surge in wind and solar capacities, ensuring efficient energy distribution across key consumption centers.
Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) plans to invest ₹96,000 crore over the next eight years to develop transmission infrastructure, ensuring it can handle the state’s growing renewable energy capacity. Jai Prakash Shivahare, Managing Director of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd, the parent company of GETCO, announced this at the Global Wind Day event in Delhi.
Shivahare highlighted that most wind and solar capacities are being developed in sparsely populated areas like Kachh and northern Gujarat, while consumption centers are located in Ahmedabad, Morbi, Rajkot, and Vadodara. Currently, Gujarat has 11,823 MW of wind and 14,182 MW of solar capacity, totaling 26,005 MW. By 2030-31, the state aims to add 22,546 MW of wind and 24,694 MW of solar, bringing the total renewable energy capacity to 73,245 MW. Additionally, Gujarat plans to add 2,458 MW of coal and 1,620 MW of hydro capacity.
Shivahare assured that GETCO will provide connectivity to applicants and noted that the company currently spends around ₹4,000 crore annually on transmission infrastructure. This expenditure will increase to meet future needs. The Gujarat state government is considering raising loans for these projects, as GETCO is a profitable and under-leveraged company.
Gujarat has completed two tenders for battery-based energy storage, each for 250 MW capacity. The tenders, finalized in March and June, resulted in levellised storage costs of ₹4.43 and ₹3.67 per kWhr, respectively. Indigrid and Gensol won the first tender, while Gensol secured the second. GUVNL will pay the companies ₹4.48 lakh and ₹3.73 lakh per MW per month, respectively. These companies will maintain the battery storage systems, ensuring storage losses do not exceed 15%.
Shivahare emphasized that battery-stored wind and solar energy is cheaper than gas-based power, which costs ₹8.5 to ₹9 per kWhr. The flexibility of battery storage, which can be switched on and off as needed, offers significant operational advantages for Gujarat.
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