PM DHARA Scheme Explained | 135 GW Renewable Energy & 50 GWh Battery Storage | UPSC | NEXT IAS

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM-DHARA (PM-Developing Harmonized and Accelerated Renewable-energy Access) Scheme with a total project outlay of ₹1,86,405 crore to strengthen India's intra-state transmission infrastructure and facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid. The scheme is an important development in India's renewable energy transition, as increasing solar and wind power capacity also requires stronger transmission networks and energy storage systems to manage variability, congestion and demand during non-solar hours. Key topics covered: ✅What is the PM-DHARA Scheme? ✅Full form and objective of PM-DHARA ✅Cabinet approval and the ₹1,86,405 crore total project outlay ✅Strengthening of the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) ✅Target of facilitating the evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy ✅Provision for 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) ✅Green Energy Corridor Phase-III and its role under PM-DHARA ✅₹1,36,378 crore allocation for intra-state transmission systems under GEC-III ✅₹50,000 crore allocation for battery energy storage systems ✅₹54,082 crore in Central Financial Support ✅How the scheme can help reduce transmission costs ✅Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) ✅Cost-plus basis for brownfield upgradation and network-strengthening works ✅Build, Own, Operate and Maintain (BOOM) model ✅Greenfield and brownfield transmission projects ✅Role of PM-DHARA in improving electricity availability and reliability ✅Better utilisation and integration of solar and wind energy ✅Importance of battery storage in managing renewable-energy intermittency ✅Economic and employment benefits of green-energy infrastructure ✅Contribution towards reducing carbon emissions ✅India's long-term non-fossil energy goals ✅Implementation timeline up to FY 2032–33 The video also explains why transmission infrastructure is critical for India's clean-energy transition. Renewable power generation alone is not sufficient; electricity generated from resource-rich regions must be efficiently evacuated and integrated into the grid. Energy storage can further support grid flexibility by helping manage renewable-energy variability and meeting demand during non-solar hours. For UPSC aspirants, PM-DHARA is an important topic for Current Affairs, Environment and Ecology, Economy, Energy Security, Infrastructure and Government Schemes. The video concludes with a UPSC Prelims-style MCQ covering the scheme's objectives, renewable-energy target and battery storage provision. #nextias #pmdhara #renewableenergy #greenenergy #greenenergycorridor #energysecurity #batteryenergystorage #renewableenergyindia #powertransmission #greengrowth #cleanenergy #energytransition #environment #upsc #currentaffairs #fyp #foryou