The Union Cabinet has approved PM-DHARA, a Rs 1,86,405-crore plan to build the power lines and battery storage India needs for its renewable energy push. Here is what the scheme means and why it matters.

PM-DHARA stands for Developing Harmonised and Accelerated Renewable Energy Access. It combines Green Energy Corridor Phase-III, worth Rs 1,36,378 crore for intra-state transmission lines, with Rs 50,000 crore for 50 gigawatt-hours of battery storage. The goal is to evacuate up to 135 GW of renewable power by 2032-33.

Why does this matter? India’s solar and wind farms sit in remote, high-potential areas like Rajasthan and Gujarat, while demand is concentrated in industrial belts hundreds of kilometres away. Without dedicated lines, clean power cannot reach homes and factories, and projects face curtailment.

The scheme adds 51,126 circuit kilometres of lines and 2,28,903 MVA of transformation capacity. With Rs 54,082 crore in central support to offset transmission charges, it aims to keep tariffs down while keeping India’s 500 GW non-fossil target for 2030 on track.