Boost To Ladakh’s Development: Govt Plans Rs 11,000 Crore Transmission Line For Renewable Power Projects In UT

In a bid to give a boost to the development of the newly-created union territory of Ladakh, the Government is planning to set up a 900-km long power transmission line that will help the large solar and wind projects in the region to supply electricity across the country, reports Hindustan Times.

According to the report, the move is part of India’s strategy to develop the UT as the project, estimated to cost around Rs 11,000 crore, would help in resolving the grid connectivity problems faced by the region. It is also expected to attract investments for green energy projects in the cold desert region.

The transmission line will initially transfer around 2,500 megawatts (MW) electricity and will be developed in the third phase of the green energy corridors to help tap Ladakh’s solar power potential of 40 gigawatts (GW).

The project will help in supplying electricity to the people of Leh and Kargil districts as well as defence establishments during harsh winters. It will also help in transmitting surplus power to the rest of country during summers.

“Various options are being discussed to facilitate the power transmission project. It can be either a VGF (viability grant funding) project or a PPP (public-private partnership) project or a mix of both. It may also have a generation component,” Anand Kumar, secretary in the union Power Ministry, was quoted in the report as saying.

However, its construction will be a logistical challenge, considering the region remains snow covered for nearly six months with very low temperature and oxygen levels.

As per the report, several places in the country including Ladakh, Thar desert, Rann of Kutch, Lahaul and Spiti have the potential to generate 315.7 GW of solar and wind energy, and will required investments of over Rs 4.3 lakh crores over the next 30 years, according to a study conducted by the state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCL).