The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme with a total project outlay of Rs 1,86,405 crore, giving a major push to India’s renewable power evacuation infrastructure.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who briefed the media on the Cabinet decisions, said the scheme will strengthen intra-state transmission systems to evacuate up to 135 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy across states and Union Territories.

The scheme also provides for 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems at the renewable energy generator end to address intermittency, congestion and peak-hour curtailment. Of the total outlay, Rs 1,36,378 crore is earmarked for transmission development and Rs 50,000 crore for storage.

The Centre will provide Rs 54,082 crore as financial support to help offset intra-state transmission charges and keep power costs down for consumers, according to the release. The scheme is targeted for completion by FY 2032-33.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the move would create jobs in manufacturing, construction and energy storage, calling it a big push towards 900 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2035. New transmission projects will be awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding.