Transmission Constraints Impact Nearly 4 GW of Solar Capacity in Rajasthan

Key Takeaways

Rajasthan faces 4,300 MW of solar power curtailment due to inadequate transmission infrastructure, risking ₹20,000 crore in projects.
The Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC) has withdrawn No Objection Certificates for 26 solar projects, severely impacting project viability.
Industry officials urge the government to implement short-term relief measures to improve transmission and prevent stranded renewable capacity.

Transmission Issues in Rajasthan’s Solar Power Sector

Rajasthan’s renewable energy sector is facing a significant challenge as nearly 4,300 MW of solar power capacity is unable to operate during the day due to insufficient transmission infrastructure. This curtailment threatens projects valued at around ₹20,000 crore, developed by major companies such as Adani, ReNew, and ACME, among others.

Currently, these projects are supplying power under the temporary general network access (T-GNA) framework because their associated transmission systems have yet to be commissioned. As a result, power generation has been fully curtailed during daylight hours, leaving the capacity with no means of evacuation.

Data from the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC) indicates that while Rajasthan has around 23 GW of commissioned renewable energy capacity, its transmission infrastructure can only support approximately 18.9 GW. This entire capacity is dedicated to projects with long-term general network access (GNA), creating a situation where over 4 GW of capacity utilizing T-GNA lacks evacuation capability.

The commissioning of the 765 kV Khetri-Narela transmission line aimed to alleviate some curtailment issues; however, only about 600 MW of additional capacity has been made available. Meanwhile, about 4,375 MW of capacity has been operationalized under long-term GNA, effectively exhausting surplus margins. Consequently, NRLDC has retracted No Objection Certificates for 26 solar projects, warning developers of potential violations of scheduled operations.

Industry representatives are increasingly concerned that this prolonged curtailment could jeopardize the financial viability of these projects and their debt obligations. They have flagged the situation as a systemic risk, particularly in renewable-rich states like Rajasthan, where generation capacity is expanding faster than transmission infrastructure.

To mitigate these issues, industry officials are advocating for immediate government intervention. Proposed measures include implementing a Special Protection Scheme (SPS) to enhance evacuation for T-GNA projects and dynamically reallocating unused GNA margins to these projects during low-utilization periods. The use of Dynamic Line Rating to optimize real-time transmission capacity is also suggested to prevent renewable assets from becoming stranded.

An industry source noted that much of the curtailed 4.3 GW capacity meets its specified connectivity timelines but is hindered by delays in the commissioning of the associated transmission systems. The lack of a clear communication channel for knowing about available transmission capacity further complicates the situation for generators.

Moreover, the government previously indicated that the new transmission line would reduce peak-hour curtailment by a significant margin. However, with the current data reflecting only minor improvements in available capacity, further action is needed to address these impending challenges.

Stakeholders are urging the government to consider adopting a T-GNA-only approach for future renewable energy capacity additions until sufficient evacuation margins can be demonstrated. A more equitable distribution of the existing transmission capacity could ensure that peak hour curtailment remains within manageable levels, making the operational landscape more sustainable for all developers.

The industry is keen to prevent a complete shutdown of projects and advocates for the immediacy of short-term relief measures to safeguard renewable investments and ensure stability in Rajasthan’s energy sector.

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