Karnataka has set forth an extensive ten-year strategy aimed at increasing its installed power capacity from the current level of over 39 GW to 66 GW by 2030. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, Shri Gaurav Gupta, made this announcement during the Bharat Electricity Indian Utility Week 2026 summit held in New Delhi. The state’s focus will predominantly be on enhancing its clean energy profile as part of this expansion.

At the summit, Gupta shared that the initiative is designed to address the rapidly escalating electricity demand in Karnataka while also strengthening the overall grid infrastructure. This includes improvements in energy storage and the integration of more renewable energy sources into the state’s power mix, directly supporting India’s national clean energy objectives.

Currently, Karnataka derives about two-thirds of its power from clean hydro and renewable sources, enabling it to satisfy a significant portion of its daily electricity requirements through green energy. Gupta emphasised that the expansion in power generation capacity will remain aligned with environmental sustainability principles.

Anticipated Growth in Electricity Demand

The electricity consumption in Karnataka is projected to double over the next decade, a result of robust industrial growth, increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and the establishment of large data centres in cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru. To accommodate this anticipated increase, Karnataka has proactively adopted a Resource Adequacy Plan, which has received approval from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

Gupta elaborated on the state’s clean energy transition, which will be supported by substantial investments in grid resilience and energy storage systems. The 2,000 MW Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project is one of the key initiatives, alongside the deployment of large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems at pivotal substations managed by the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL).

The state is also invested in expanding various renewable energy projects, including the Pavagada Solar Park, enhancing its wind energy capabilities, and promoting solarisation initiatives for agricultural feeders through programs like PM-KUSUM Component-C and the Chief Minister Saura Krishi Yojana (CM-SKY).

Investment and Digitalisation Initiatives in Energy Sector

Karnataka is fostering an environment conducive to investment by ensuring timely payments to energy producers, eliminating transmission curtailments, and facilitating increased private participation in energy storage and transmission initiatives. Gupta indicated that the state aims to attract investments in the range of Rs 2–3 crore over the next four to five years.

In an effort to streamline project approvals and land regulations, Karnataka is modernising its administrative processes by digitising them, thus enabling prospective investors to navigate project requirements more efficiently. This focuses on establishing a transparent and accessible system, significantly enhancing the opportunities for investment in the state’s energy sector.

As the nation works towards achieving a developed India by 2047, Karnataka is positioning itself as a leader in the forthcoming phase of the country’s clean energy transition. The state is committed to fostering global partnerships in emerging technologies such as battery storage and green hydrogen while adapting to advancements in digitalisation and artificial intelligence within the energy sector.

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