The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for a 13 GW Renewable Energy Project in Ladakh. The project is set to be completed by FY 2029-30, with a total estimated cost of Rs. 20,773.70 crore, including Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs. 8,309.48 crore, representing 40% of the project cost.
Recognizing the complex terrain, challenging climatic conditions, and defense sensitivities in Ladakh, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has been entrusted with implementing the project. The state-of-the-art Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system and Extra High Voltage Alternating Current (EHVAC) systems will be deployed.
The transmission line will traverse through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, reaching Kaithal in Haryana, where it will be integrated into the National Grid. An interconnection will also be established between this project in Leh and the existing Ladakh grid to ensure a reliable power supply to Ladakh. It will further be linked to the Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line to provide power to Jammu & Kashmir. The project involves the installation of 713 km of transmission lines (including a 480 km HVDC line) and two 5 GW capacity HVDC terminals in Pang (Ladakh) and Kaithal (Haryana).
This project aligns with the goal of achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030, promoting long-term energy security and environmentally sustainable growth with a reduced carbon footprint. Additionally, it is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities in power and related sectors, particularly in Ladakh.
This initiative complements the ongoing Intra-State Transmission System Green Energy Corridor Phase-II (InSTS GEC-II) in the states of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, focusing on grid integration and power evacuation for approximately 20 GW of renewable energy. The InSTS GEC-II scheme is set to be completed by 2026, with an estimated project cost of Rs. 12,031.33 crore and CFA of Rs. 3,970.34 crore.