Powering Up Karnataka: ₹2,100 Crore Boost for Green Energy

The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has approved two major interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects worth over ₹2,100 crore to facilitate evacuation of 4.5 GW renewable energy (RE) from Karnataka’s high-potential zones—Davanagere, Bellary, and Tumkur-II.

Approved under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route, the schemes are now pending final clearance from the Union Ministry of Power.

The first scheme, estimated at ₹1,111 crore and coordinated by REC Power Development & Consultancy, will support evacuation from Davanagere (0.25 GW) and Bellary (2.75 GW). Key components include:

Augmentation of Davanagere pooling station with 2×1500 MVA transformers, Expansion of Bellary pooling station with 6×500 MVA units, A new 400kV double-circuit line between the two stations

The second scheme, worth ₹1,051 crore and managed by PFC Consulting, will enhance the Tumkur-II pooling station (1.5 GW). Scope includes:

Addition of 3×500 MVA transformers, Construction of a 100 km, 400kV double-circuit line to Madhugiri

Combined, both projects will add 7,500 MVA transformation capacity through 11 new transformers, significantly bolstering Karnataka's green energy infrastructure.

As per MNRE, Karnataka requires evacuation infrastructure for 6 GW RE, with the remaining 1.5 GW at Bijapur under separate finalisation.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.