The Power Ministry has revised the terms of reference of National Committee on Transmission (NCT) to fast-track planning and approval of power transmission projects.

 "As one more step in the series of major reforms being carried out in the power sector under the direction of the Union Power Minister RK Singh, the Ministry of Power has revised the terms of reference of National Committee on Transmission (NCT) to fast-track Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) planning and approval process," a power ministry statement stated.

 This will go a long way in further facilitating Renewable Energy development and integration in the power system, it added.

 The NCT is mandated to propose expansion of ISTS to the ministry for approval after assessing the trend of growth in demand and generation in various regions, constraints, if any, in the inter-state, inter-region transfer of power, which are likely to arise in the near-term/medium term.

 The NCT is headed by chairperson, Central Electricity Authority, and comprising of representatives of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Power, NITI Aayog, Central Transmission Utility, Power System Operation Corporation and two experts.

The ministry said, "Our country has pledged in COP-21 in Paris to reduce its carbon footprint by 33-35 per cent from its 2005 levels by 2030 and meet 40 per cent of its electricity needs from non-fossil fuel sources by then."

 As a part of energy transition goal, India has set a target of 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.