India is laying the groundwork for a dedicated green energy feeder system—specialized transmission lines that carry renewable power directly to major consumers such as green‑hydrogen plants, export‑oriented factories, and data centres. By ensuring these feeders see more than 90% green‑energy flow, India aims to help manufacturers and service providers brand their outputs as truly “green”.
Why Green Feeders Matter
- Guaranteeing Renewable Supply: In today’s undifferentiated grid, all electrons mix. Green feeders act like a “reserved lane,” providing a near‑pure flow of wind, solar, or hydro power directly to end users.
- Meeting Corporate Sustainability Goals: Global buyers—from automakers to data‑centre operators—demand traceable, renewable‑based power. Green feeders simplify certification and reporting.
- Boosting Green Hydrogen Production: Electrolyzers require large, continuous power inputs. Dedicated green lines reduce the risk of fossil‑fuel back‑up, cutting lifecycle emissions of hydrogen.
How It’s Being Planned
The Central Transmission Utility (CTU) is drafting a concept note to identify candidate lines—particularly those already flowing over 90% renewables—for conversion into green feeders. Initial studies point to existing corridors in:
- Rajasthan: High solar density around Bikaner and Jodhpur.
- Gujarat: Wind‑and‑solar clusters near Khavda in the Rann of Kutch.
Once formalised, these feeders would bypass mixed‑source transmission paths and deliver clean power “behind the meter” to designated facilities.
Applications & Early Talks
Discussions are underway with stakeholders across the hydrogen, manufacturing, and IT sectors. Potential early adopters include:
- Green‑hydrogen hubs planning grid‑scale electrolyser clusters
- Export‑oriented units in special economic zones targeting carbon‑neutral certification
- Hyperscale data centres seeking renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) with guaranteed delivery
These talks remain preliminary, but government insiders highlight that a robust feeder network could be rolled out within the next 18–24 months.
Global Precedents
Countries around the world have successfully implemented “green-feeder” or dedicated renewable corridors:
- Texas CREZ (USA)
The Competitive Renewable Energy Zones project added over 3,600 km of transmission lines to carry wind power from West Texas to major cities. CREZ unlocked more than 18 GW of wind capacity by providing a dedicated pathway for clean electrons. - UHV Supergrid (China)
China’s ultra-high-voltage network—operating up to 1,100 kV AC and 800 kV DC—links remote hydro, wind, and solar projects to coastal demand centres. In 2017 alone, these lines transported about 161 TWh of clean energy. - Eastern Green Links (UK)
Two 2 GW HVDC cables under the North Sea will soon deliver Scottish offshore wind directly to northeast England. This scheme, approved under the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment framework, creates a “green lane” for renewables across borders. - ASEAN Power Grid (Southeast Asia)
The ASEAN Power Grid interconnects member states, carrying large shares of hydropower from Laos and Vietnam into Thailand and Malaysia. Certain corridors are ring-fenced for renewables trading, effectively acting as international green feeders.
Challenges & Next Steps
- Line Availability: Only a handful of corridors currently exceed the 90% green‑flow threshold. Upgrading others will require additional renewable capacity or storage integration.
- Regulatory Framework: New tariff structures and open‑access rules must be defined to differentiate “green” from “brown” energy flows.
- Grid Management: Operators will need advanced monitoring to verify feeder purity and handle variability.
The CTU’s concept note will recommend pilot corridors, followed by detailed feasibility studies. Parallel consultations with industry will shape policy incentives, such as preferential wheeling charges or renewable certificates tied to green‑feeder usage.
Outlook
Green feeders promise a game‑changing upgrade for India’s clean‑energy roadmap. By physically segregating renewable flows, they can unlock new markets for green hydrogen, give exporters a verifiable sustainability edge, and anchor India’s data‑centre boom on zero‑carbon power. As the CTU refines its plans, investors and off‑takers alike will be watching closely—and preparing to plug into the country’s first “green lanes” of electricity.
