Bi-Directional Power Exchange Between India and Gulf Countries through Grid Connectors

Case in point is the connection with Norway, where when wind generation is high and electricity demand low in Great Britain, the link allows renewable power to be exported, conserving water in Norway’s reservoirs. When demand is high in Great Britain and there is low wind generation, hydro power can be imported from Norway, providing affordable and sustainable electricity to consumers in Great Britain.

Closer home, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a grand vision of “One World, One Sun, One Grid,” envisaging a massive inter-connected global power grid transporting green energy across countries and continents. We at Sterlite Power have been working on the concept and feasibility of such a transmission interconnection between India and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries via a sub-sea HVDC link through the Arabian Sea.

The concept behind all these intercontinental grids is very simple yet powerful. The sun is always shining bright in some part of the world, and sunshine from one country can light up another thus matching peak production with peak demand hours across borders. With the advancement in undersea cable technology, the concept of a globally inter-connected green energy grid is quickly becoming a reality.

Potential of India-Gulf Link

When India hits peak energy demand in the evening hours, the sun is likely to be shining bright in the Gulf countries. The GCC (Gulf Coordination Council) Countries can feed India’s power demand through a sub-sea link connecting both the regions. In turn, when the sun shines brightly over India during mid-day, the surplus power would cater to the morning peak demand in GCC countries.

It’s exciting to think about what this could lead to. This could pave the way for a new Green Power Corridor for the world along the sunshine tropical countries, much like how the ancient Silk Route helped establish East-West trade routes, and how the 21-km long Strait of Hormuz sees 20 per cent of all the world’s oil passing through it.

If we could connect all countries across the solar-blessed Tropic of Cancer, then India’s vision of establishing “One World, One Sun, One Grid” would come true

There are many countries which do not receive optimal sunlight. Hence, the only option for them is investment in fossil-fuel based power generation sources. With Intercontinental Grid, these investments can be directed to other critical sectors such as healthcare. If we could connect all countries across the solar-blessed Tropic of Cancer, then India’s vision of establishing “One World, One Sun, One Grid” would come true. The sun would practically never set for any country.

Besides connecting large Power Systems, another inherent benefit of interconnectors is the connectivity and access to cleaner sources of power accorded to Island nations like Singapore, Maldives, or Mauritius – which would otherwise be dependent on high carbon emitting sources. The electricity sourced through Intercontinental Grids would be green, thus reducing the impact on the planet and addressing climate change.

Interconnected Grids - A significant step towards achieving net zero goals

Intercontinental Grids have the potential to transform the lives & futures of countries. They are crucial in realising the grand vision of ‘Renewable Power for All’. As we move towards a low carbon sustainable energy regime, this is an idea whose time has come. Interconnected grids across the world will encourage sharing of world energy resources and strengthen power systems and regional energy cooperation.

To make this work, the world will have to build common ground, standards, jurisdictions, and strengthen multilateral and bilateral cooperation. India, with its immense potential for generating renewable power stands to gain much as the pioneer of One World, One Sun One Grid.