The Union Cabinet cleared a Rs 1,86,405 crore scheme to strengthen intra-state transmission and add battery storage, backing India's push towards 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

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• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme on September 30, 2026.
• The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 1,86,405 crore and aims to strengthen intra-state transmission systems across states and Union Territories.
• It is designed to enable the evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy by 2032-33.
• Roughly Rs 1.36 lakh crore is earmarked for transmission works, while about Rs 50,000 crore is meant for battery energy storage.
• The scheme provides for 50 GWh of battery energy storage systems at renewable developer or generator sites, or other locations important for grid flexibility.
• Storage is intended to address intermittency, congestion, peak-hour curtailment and electricity demand during non-solar hours.
• Total central financial assistance under the scheme is Rs 54,082 crore, which will help offset intra-state transmission charges and keep power costs down.
• All new greenfield intra-state transmission projects under GEC-III will be awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding.
• Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision after the Cabinet meeting and described the initiative as historic.
• Phase-II of the corridor had a much smaller outlay of Rs 12,031 crore, targeting about 20 GW of renewable evacuation across seven states.
• Phase-II was slated for implementation from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with central assistance set at 33 per cent of project cost.
• The scheme is significant for India's target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.