Karnataka Charts 10-Year Path to 66 GW Power Capacity, Prioritising Green Energy
Karnataka targets 66 GW installed capacity by 2030, with expansion focused on renewables, storage, and grid resilience.
Karnataka has unveiled a decade-long blueprint to expand its installed power capacity from over 39 GW to 66 GW by 2030, with the additional generation set to be overwhelmingly green. The announcement was made at the Bharat Electricity Indian Utility Week 2026 summit in New Delhi, where state officials outlined plans to meet surging electricity demand while supporting national clean-energy goals.
Currently, two-thirds of Karnataka's power mix comes from hydro and renewable sources, and the state already meets a significant portion of its daily demand through green power. Over the next ten years, electricity demand is projected to double, driven by industrial growth, electric vehicle adoption, and the rise of large data centres in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru.
To manage this growth, Karnataka has become one of the first states to implement a Resource Adequacy Plan approved by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). The state is also advancing the 2,000 MW Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project and deploying large-scale battery energy storage systems at critical KPTCL substations to add flexibility to the grid.
On the generation side, Karnataka is expanding the Pavagada Solar Park, scaling up wind capacity, and promoting solarisation of agricultural feeders through PM-KUSUM Component-C and the Chief Minister Saura Krishi Yojana (CM-SKY). Transmission infrastructure is also being strengthened, with KPTCL operating at ultra-low transmission losses of under 3 per cent and building thousands of kilometres of new lines and super-grid substations.
Officials highlighted the state's historical leadership in the energy sector, noting that Karnataka established Asia's first major hydroelectric station at Shivanasamudram in 1902 and electrified Bengaluru in 1905. Looking ahead, the state is encouraging private investment in storage and transmission, expecting to attract Rs. 2-3 crore over the next four to five years. It is also simplifying land regulations and project procedures, moving processes online to create a seamless pathway for investors.
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd Managing Director Divya Prabhu emphasised the role of digitalisation in the sector's future. The state has mapped renewable energy projects and developed a single-window digital platform for investors. She also pointed to the growing use of artificial intelligence in power procurement, network simulation through digital twins, and predictive maintenance of assets.
Karnataka is positioning itself as a leader in India's clean-energy transition, with opportunities for global partnerships in battery storage, green hydrogen, and smart-grid automation.