October 16, 2025

India is now a superstar in renewable energy (RE), standing tall as the third biggest in the world for installations and power generation—only behind China and the USA. With about 247 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity, over 71% comes from solar and wind power. This clean energy rise is changing the way power moves around the country, but not without challenges. Power transmission is like the electricity highway. India has one of the world’s most advanced grids, with careful planning to avoid traffic jams in power lines. But the rapid growth of solar and wind projects, which can be built fast, is faster than the transmission system can handle. This has caused a gap between the clean power produced and the system that sends it where it’s needed. Adding to the headache is the on-and-off nature of solar and wind energy, which varies by time and season. This makes planning difficult and has led to around 50 GW of renewable energy stuck without proper transmission, costing money, delaying profits, and scaring away investors. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is not sitting idle. In September 2025, its Chairperson, Ghanshyam Prasad, reaffirmed India's ambitious target to put 600 GW of renewables on the grid by 2032. The CEA switched to “potential-based planning,” which means plans change every six months to keep up with real-world changes. They also hold monthly meetings to speed up investments and clear hurdles. But hurdles remain giant. Land acquisition problems, difficulty in importing transmission equipment, and unique state issues block progress. Rajasthan is a trouble spot—its struggles include delays, technical challenges, and special ecological concerns like protecting the critically endangered great Indian bustard, which can die by hitting overhead power lines. In Rajasthan, out of 22 GW of operational inter-state renewable energy projects, about 8 GW remain stranded. On top of that, roughly 3.8 GW faced generation cuts in July 2025. This reveals the big puzzle of growing many clean power plants in one place without enough transmission roads to carry the electricity out. The Rajasthan government wants to fix this by adding 2,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of big battery storage. These batteries can store surplus energy and release it when needed, helping reduce power wastage and use the grid better. Experts say a smart, detailed roadmap for each state is crucial. This plan must be clear on targets and deadlines, with penalties if they slip. It should also predict upcoming power needs from places like data centers and electric vehicle hubs. Since land is costly and electricity use is rising, building more transmission lines now—even if they’re not fully used immediately—is wise. Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are also stars of the show. Placed at strategic points, ESS can keep frequency steady, manage voltage, avoid congestion, and even help restart the grid after blackouts. The roadmap must clearly say where and how much storage is needed for smooth green power flow. India’s transmission system today is mostly run by big, cautious companies. To keep up, the country needs to invite more private and foreign investors, creating a friendly environment for growth. Using smart forecasting, modeling, and real-time monitoring will boost the grid’s speed and reliability. Also, switching from old power dispatch methods to a modern security constrained economic dispatch (SCED) model will optimize supply by considering limits and needs in real time. In the end, a sturdy, modern transmission network is the hidden hero that India’s green energy dream needs. With flexibility and strength, it will carry the nation’s clean power hopes into a bright, low-carbon future. This article first appeared in Energy Watch.

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Tags: India renewable energy, Power transmission, Solar and wind energy, Rajasthan re bottlenecks, Energy storage systems, Cea transmission planning,