Karnataka’s Mega Solar Park Pavagada Set To Expand

The Karnataka Energy Department has decided to expand its sprawling solar parks in the state further. As per the latest information, the state energy department has decided to expand Pavagada Solar Park, one of the largest solar parks of Karnataka, further.

As per the plan, the solar park in the state’s Tumkur district is set to add 3,000 MW of additional solar power in the coming days. To undertake the same, the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL) is set to establish a 2500 MW of solar power plant near the Ryapte Gram Panchayat area, whereas the additional 500 MW of solar power would be produced near the Inturayanhalli panchayat.

The Pavagada Solar Park is one of the largest solar parks in Karnataka. It has a capacity of 2,000 MW. Earlier, in order to take up the original project there, a lot of farmers gave up their land and leased it to the solar developer. However, the quality of power there didn’t improve. Rather the solar power was evacuated to the urban areas of the state to cater to the needs of the rising powers needs of cities like Bengaluru. 

Karnataka is one of the few Indian states which have crossed their Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO). It was one of the first renewable-rich states to launch its Solar and Wind policies and started growing its clean energy basket. Now, several parts of the state have several solar parks. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has also planned to evacuate around 17.5 GW of solar power through inter-state transmission networks. 

Regions like Tumkur, Bellary, and Chitradurga have emerged as the state’s new hotspots of renewable energy. The state is now looking forward to battery storage solutions and Green Hydrogen.