Rajasthan's Renewable Energy Capacity Surge

Key Highlights on Power Demand and Transmission Networks

Context

• Electricity Demand Surge: Northern India faces sustained high power demand primarily due to increased consumption and renewable energy generation from Rajasthan. This has resulted in transmission line and transformer overloading.

Institutional Communication

• The National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) communicated concerns to the Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) regarding operational violations at regional electricity substations.

Key Metrics

• Peak Power Demand:
  • Northern Region recorded a peak demand of 95,027 MW on July 16, 2026.
  • Overall peak power demand reached 270 GW in the current year.
  • Energy Demand: Maximum energy met was 2,095 million units (MU) on July 18, 2026.

Transformation and Transmission Infrastructure

• Moga Substation, Punjab:

  • Loading on two 765/400 kV interconnecting transformers (ICTs) rated at 1,500 megavolt-amperes (MVA) exceeded the N-1 threshold during solar generation hours.

• High Demand States: Punjab's all-time peak demand in September 2026 compounded by high demands in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir increased loading pressures on the network.

Recommendations for Network Augmentation

1. Capacity Enhancement:

   • Prioritize additional 765/400 kV transformation capacity in Moga.
   • Consider upgrading the Moga-Kishenpur power corridor from 400 kV to 765 kV.
   • Propose new 765 kV substations in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

2. Bhiwani Substation:

   • Experiencing overload despite a new transformer addition.
   • Suggested additional transformation capacity and enhancement of downstream 400 kV lines via reconductoring or introducing parallel transmission corridors.

3. Dynamic Line Rating Implementation:

   • Recommended as a short-term solution to harness the real-time thermal capacity of transmission lines under varying weather conditions.

4. Jhatikara Substation:

   • Found loading beyond permissible levels during solar hours.
   • Recommendations include exploring higher-capacity conductors and additional parallel circuits to manage constraints.

Important Notes on N-1 Criterion

• N-1 Criterion refers to a reliability standard ensuring continued operation even after the failure of one critical component in the power transmission system.

Current Infrastructure Concerns

• All substations (Moga, Bhiwani, Jhatikara) are struggling with N-1 compliance, emphasizing the urgent need for upgrades and enhancements to the grid's infrastructure amid rising energy demands.

Conclusion

• The increasing demand for power in Northern India in conjunction with the surge in renewable energy highlights the critical need for infrastructural upgrades and strategic investments to prevent overloading and ensure reliable electricity supply.

The measures proposed aim at future-proofing the transmission capabilities of Northern India's power grid to handle higher loads while adhering to reliability standards.