Rajasthan's Renewable Energy Transmission Improvement

Renewable Energy Developments in Rajasthan: Key Highlights

1. Infrastructure Completion:

   • The commissioning of the Khetri-Narela transmission line in December has alleviated the curtailment of renewable energy (RE) in Rajasthan, enabling evacuation of previously stranded capacity.
   • An additional transmission line in Fatehgarh is expected to become operational within a month, enabling further evacuation of the remaining 2 GW of RE capacity.

2. Renewable Energy Capacity:

   • Rajasthan has flagged curtailment issues, particularly during peak solar hours, primarily due to a mismatch between the speed of renewable project deployment and the development of transmission infrastructure.
   • As of November 2025, India's total installed RE capacity reached 253.96 GW, marking a 23% increase from 205.52 GW in November 2024.
   • India added 44.51 GW of renewable capacity from November 2024 to November 2025, nearly doubling the 24.72 GW added in the previous year.

3. Transmission Infrastructure Challenges:

   • Delays in key transmission projects have contributed to curtailment challenges; historically, coal-based power plants require 5-6 years to become operational, while solar plants can be ready in 1-2 years.
   • The existing transmission system typically takes 3-5 years to develop, necessitating acceleration to match RE deployment rates.

4. Policy Framework:

   • A national committee on transmission, led by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), is prioritizing projects based on renewable energy potential, regardless of the number of applications received.
   • The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has indicated that around 31.8 GW of RE capacity was granted connectivity without securing power purchase agreements (PPAs), contributing to underutilization of existing transmission capacity.

5. Market Dynamics:

   • At least 42 GW of renewable capacity remains without PPAs, creating significant barriers to sector growth.
   • Rating agency ICRA expressed concerns regarding declining project awards and delays in PPA signings affecting RE sector execution.

6. Transmission Network Milestone:

   • India's national power transmission network exceeded 5 lakh circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines (220 kV and above) as of January 14. Newly commissioned lines include 628 ckm of 765 kV infrastructure from Bhadla II to Sikar II, aiding the evacuation of 1,100 MW from key solar power zones in Rajasthan.

In summary, while infrastructure improvements are underway to address curtailment of renewable energy in Rajasthan, significant challenges remain in terms of transmission development and securing power purchase agreements. Continued investment and policy alignment will be essential to support the rapid growth of renewable capacity in India.