Karnataka to Expand Pavagada Solar Park With 10,000 Additional Acres

Karnataka is in the final stages of acquiring an additional 10,000 acres of land to expand the Pavagada Solar Park, Energy Minister K.J. George announced on Tuesday. The move is part of the state's broader push to strengthen its position as a leader in renewable energy generation.

Speaking at a roadshow for the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 in Bengaluru, George noted that Karnataka currently has over 10,000 acres under the Pavagada park. The state's total renewable energy capacity stands at nearly 27.3 GW, which includes more than 11.5 GW of solar and 8.5 GW of wind power.

George described the renewable energy transition as a key driver for economic growth, industrial development, and energy security, adding that India has entered a refining phase in this shift. However, he flagged a significant challenge: the scarcity of barren land in agriculturally progressive states like Karnataka.

Unlike states such as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where barren land is more readily available, Karnataka faces constraints. To address this, the government is exploring technologies like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which require less land for solar installations.

On the power supply front, George assured that precautionary measures are in place to prevent shortages despite prevailing drought conditions. He revealed that the state had procured electricity from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana through power exchange arrangements last summer, with the power returned between June and September. Similar procurement is planned in the coming days, with fallback options to purchase from other sources if needed.

Meanwhile, MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi announced that the BRESE 2026 summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from November 2 to 5. Running alongside the Ninth Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly and the Fourth International Conference on Green Hydrogen, the event is themed 'Invest, Innovate, Inspire' and is expected to draw participants from over 75 countries, with more than 400 exhibitors and 80 curated sessions.