India's ambitious clean energy goals are hitting a major roadblock, and it's not just about generating power—it's about getting it to where it needs to go. Here’s the shocking part: since 2022, the government has revoked connectivity approvals for a staggering 6.3 GW of renewable energy capacity due to project delays. This move, announced by Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik, underscores the growing tension between India's renewable energy ambitions and its ability to execute them effectively.
In a recent Rajya Sabha session, Naik revealed that 16 petitions are pending before the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), with power generators seeking protection from these revocations. The minister clarified that the cancellations stem from developer delays, not issues on the transmission side. But here's where it gets controversial: while the government is revoking approvals, it’s also pushing forward with an Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) capable of evacuating 172 GW of renewable energy, with bids underway for an additional 19 GW. So, why the disconnect?
The government is also collaborating with states to develop intra-state transmission systems for 152 GW of renewable energy. These efforts, combined with plans to integrate hydro, nuclear, and other non-fossil capacities, are part of a broader strategy to achieve the 500 GW non-fossil capacity target. But this is the part most people miss: despite these initiatives, the renewable energy sector is grappling with power generation curtailments and a backlog of unsigned power purchase agreements (PPAs).
For instance, solar power producers in Rajasthan have been forced to scale back production due to grid congestion, as reported by Mint. Meanwhile, nearly 44 GW of renewable power remains unsold, with PPAs still unsigned. This raises a critical question: Can India’s transmission infrastructure keep pace with its renewable energy targets?
The transmission sector has been lagging, with land acquisition and right-of-way (RoW) issues slowing progress. In FY25, only 8,830 circuit kilometers (ckm) were added, a 38% drop from the 14,203 ckm added in FY24, according to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data. India’s current transmission network stands at 495,405 ckm, but the National Electricity Plan estimates an additional 191,000 ckm will be needed by FY32. These delays risk derailing India’s plan to add 50 GW of renewable capacity annually to reach 500 GW by 2030.
Adding to the complexity, the Centre recently ordered state-owned power procurers to cancel contracts where PPAs cannot be signed. Mint previously reported that the power ministry has instructed renewable energy agencies to cancel projects without signed PPAs, though the energy ministry emphasized that cancellations would be phased and only after exploring all viable options.
A parliamentary standing committee report on energy, submitted on Monday, highlighted that as of June 30, 2025, non-fossil sources accounted for 243 GW of India’s total installed capacity of 485 GW—nearly 50%. However, the report flagged significant challenges in the green power sector, including delays in land acquisition, connectivity approvals, and a lack of storage facilities and domestic manufacturing.
The committee urged the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and other stakeholders to address these constraints urgently to meet targets on time. But here’s the thought-provoking question: Is India’s transmission infrastructure the Achilles’ heel of its renewable energy revolution? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think India can overcome these hurdles, or is the 500 GW target too ambitious?
