Inadequate transmission infrastructure forces India to reject surplus solar power amid severe coal shortages.

India recently discarded large amounts of solar power due to underdeveloped transmission networks during peak national demand.

Grid infrastructure deficits are heavily stalling the green energy transition across India today. Therefore, the country recently wasted massive volumes of usable renewable power. This loss happened simultaneously alongside severe national electricity shortages.

Authorities rejected nearly 1.8 billion units of green electricity between July & August. However, peak power demand surged to a record 270 gigawatts simultaneously. Domestic power stations experienced dangerously low coal inventories during this period.

Grid systems failed to absorb roughly 4.2 per cent of total solar generation. Consequently, analysts at the Centre for Research on Energy & Clean Air noted severe operational constraints. They observed that physical network limits continuously force large energy curtailments.

India currently ranks as the third-largest solar producer globally. Nevertheless, officials held back 14 per cent of solar output between April & June. The transmission network simply cannot keep pace with the rapid expansion of green energy installations.

Renewable sources now account for over half of the installed power capacity nationwide. Solar generation alone jumped 39 per cent over the past year. This rapid growth places a heavy burden on outdated local transmission channels.

Meanwhile, nearly half of domestic coal plants held less than four days of reserves recently. Hydroelectric output also dropped 20 per cent due to the El Niño weather pattern. Thus, the nation relied heavily on fossil fuels to meet soaring demand.

India aims to reach a clean energy target of 500 gigawatts by 2030. The national capacity stands at just 304 gigawatts. Ultimately, upgrading the transmission infrastructure remains essential to prevent future waste of clean power.

(Source: ET Energy World)

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