Karnataka Targets 66 GW Power Capacity by 2030, with Clean Energy Leading Expansion

Karnataka has plans to increase its installed power capacity from more than 39 GW currently to 66 GW by 2030, with most of the planned expansion focused on renewable and other clean energy sources, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Karnataka, Gaurav Gupta, said that at the Bharat Electricity and Indian Utility Week 2026 summit in New Delhi.

Addressing the Focus State Session for Karnataka at Yashobhoomi, Gupta said that the State was preparing its power sector to meet rising electricity demand while strengthening grid infrastructure, energy storage and renewable energy capacity.

Karnataka currently has more than 39 GW of installed power capacity, with around two thirds of its power mix coming from hydropower and renewable energy sources. The State has also been meeting a significant share of its daily electricity demand through green power.

Gupta said that electricity demand in Karnataka is expected to double over the coming decade, driven by industrial expansion, increasing electric vehicle adoption and the development of large data centres in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru. To address the anticipated growth, Karnataka has implemented a Resource Adequacy Plan approved by the Central Electricity Authority and the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The State is also strengthening its clean energy infrastructure through the 2,000 MW Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project and large scale Battery Energy Storage Systems at critical KPTCL substations. Karnataka is expanding the Pavagada Solar Park, increasing wind capacity and promoting the solarisation of agricultural feeders under PM KUSUM Component C and the Chief Minister Saura Krishi Yojana.

On transmission infrastructure, Gupta said that Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited was operating with transmission losses of below 3 percent and was constructing thousands of kilometres of new transmission lines and super grid substations.

Karnataka is also seeking greater private participation in energy storage and transmission and expects to attract INR. 2 to 3 crore in private investment in the power sector over the next four to five years, Gupta said.

The State is simplifying land related regulations and project procedures and moving processes online in response to investor feedback, he added.

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. Managing Director Divya Prabhu said that the State sees battery storage, green hydrogen and smart grid automation as areas for potential global collaboration. She said that digitalisation would play a key role in the growth of renewable energy.

Prabhu said  that digital systems are supporting improved forecasting and prediction, while artificial intelligence is increasingly being used for power procurement optimisation, digital twins for power network simulation, and predictive maintenance and asset management.

She added that Karnataka has mapped renewable energy projects and developed a single window digital platform providing investors with information on projects and facilitating project exploration.

Bharat Electricity and Indian Utility Week 2026 was held in New Delhi under the theme “Shaping Energy Sovereignty, Building Climate Resilience, Powering Viksit Bharat”. The three day event brought together energy sector professionals, exhibitors and global industry representatives.