Karnataka targets 66 GW power capacity by 2030, puts clean energy at core

Updated - September 03, 2026 06:53 pm IST - Bengaluru

Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, unveiled a 10-year roadmap to scale the State’s installed power capacity from over 39 GW currently to 66 GW by 2030, with future expansion set to remain overwhelmingly focused on clean energy. Last month, The Hindu reported on the rising power demand across the State, which ranged between 310 MU and 350 MU compared to 210 MU in August 2025.

Addressing a session titled ‘Focus State’ at Bharat Electricity and Indian Utility Week, 2026, held in New Delhi, Mr. Gupta said, “Karnataka is preparing its power sector to meet rapidly rising electricity demand while strengthening grid infrastructure, energy storage and renewable energy capacity, an effort that will contribute directly to India’s national clean energy targets.”

Elaborating on the current status of power in Keralam, he said, “Karnataka currently has more than 39 GW of installed power capacity, with two-thirds of its power mix coming from clean hydro and renewable sources. The State has been able to meet a significant share of its daily electricity demand through green power. Over the next decade, Karnataka will continue to expand its power capacity while ensuring that this growth remains overwhelmingly green.”

He also noted that the State’s electricity demand is expected to double over the coming decade, driven by rapid industrial expansion, widespread electric vehicle adoption and the development of large data centres in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru. To manage this growth, Karnataka has emerged as an early State to implement a Central Electricity Authority and Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission-approved Resource Adequacy Plan.

He said, “The State’s clean-energy transition would be backed by investments in grid resilience and energy storage. Karnataka is advancing the 2,000 MW Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project and deploying large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems at critical KPTCL substations to provide greater flexibility to the power grid. The State is also expanding the Pavagada Solar Park, scaling up wind capacity and promoting the solarisation of agricultural feeders through PM-KUSUM Component-C and the Chief Minister Saura Krishi Yojana (CM-SKY).”

On transmission infrastructure, he noted that Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) was operating with ultra-low transmission losses of under 3% and was undertaking the construction of thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines and super-grid substations.

“Karnataka is ensuring there is no curtailment of transmission and no delay in payments to power generators, providing greater certainty to investors. The State is encouraging greater private participation in energy storage and transmission and expects to attract ₹2–3 lakh crore in private investment in the power sector over the next four to five years,” he said, adding that the State was also responding to feedback from investors, including on land-related regulations and project procedures.

Published - September 03, 2026 06:52 pm IST

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