Gandhinagar: Peak power demand in the state of Gujarat has witnessed a threefold surge since 2002, stated Governor Acharya Devvrat today in his address at the beginning of the Budget Session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

Highlighting Gujarat’s rapid strides in power generation, renewable energy expansion, and infrastructure strengthening, the Governor described Gujarat as “an energetic state” committed to “eliminating darkness and bringing light to the lives of its citizens.” He noted that the state’s peak power demand has risen from 7.7 GW in 2002 to 26.4 GW in 2025, nearly a threefold increase, reflecting rapid industrialisation and economic expansion.

The Governor said the number of substations in Gujarat has tripled from 736 in 2002 to 2,474 in 2025, while transmission lines have grown from 31,000 km to 79,000 km. Distribution lines (HT and LT combined) have expanded from 361,000 km to 826,000 km, strengthening electricity access across rural and urban regions. Transformer hubs, he added, have seen a tenfold rise.

Recognising operational excellence, Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) received the “Best Generation Company of the Year – State Genco” award at the India Electricity Pairing India Awards 2025. Gujarat was also honoured with the “Wind India Award 2025” by the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association for installing the highest wind power capacity in the country.

Further, the state-owned distribution utilities, UGVCL, MGVCL, DGVCL and PGVCL have secured A+ ratings from the Union Ministry of Power, ranking them among the top four distribution companies nationwide.

Gujarat leads in renewable energy

Emphasising Gujarat’s transition toward clean energy, the Governor said the state now ranks first in India with 42.5 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, including 14.8 GW of wind and 25.5 GW of solar power.

He highlighted the development of the world’s largest renewable energy park at Khavda in Kutch district, with a planned capacity of 37 GW, of which over 11 GW has already been achieved. To streamline project approvals, the government has launched the “Akshay Urja Setu Portal,” a single-window system for renewable energy registration and commissioning.

Power distribution companies have laid over 20,700 km of MVCC cable to ensure reliable supply to farmers, uninterrupted electricity for industries, and improved services for citizens. In sensitive coastal and border regions, an elevated 11 kV XLPE cable network has been introduced as a pilot for enhanced safety and resilience.

RDSS support and new clean-energy policies

Under the Government of India’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at reducing losses and modernising power distribution, the Centre has provided 60% financial assistance. Gujarat has utilised this support to complete works worth ₹3,784 crore by December 2025, the Governor said.

He also announced three major policy initiatives unveiled in December 2025:

1. Gujarat Integrated Renewable Energy Policy 2025

2. Gujarat Pumped Storage Project (PSP) Policy 2025

3. Gujarat Green Hydrogen Policy 2025

“These policies demonstrate that the state’s development is policy-driven,” he said. Gujarat has set a target of over 100 GW of renewable energy capacity, including 75 GW dedicated to supporting 30 GW of electrolyser capacity for green hydrogen, expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 5 MMTPA.

Additionally, the state aims to develop 75 GWh of pumped storage capacity by 2035, involving an estimated ₹75,000 crore investment, positioning Gujarat as a major hub for clean energy, storage, and green hydrogen.

Farmer support, rooftop solar push, and gas network

Addressing agricultural needs, the Governor said the Kisan Suryodaya Yojana now provides daytime electricity to farmers in 99% of villages, easing winter irrigation challenges and reducing risks from wildlife.

Gujarat also ranks first in India with over five lakh rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme.
In solar innovation, GSECL has commissioned the state’s first 750-kW floating solar project in Bhavnagar (Padwa), while floating solar projects exceeding 2,500 MW are in the planning stage.

On the natural gas front, Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL) has developed a 2,795-km gas transmission pipeline network for transportation across the state as of October 2025. DeshGujarat