Karnataka’s renewable energy zones in Ballary and Davanagere are set to get a major boost in power transmission after Power Grid Corporation of India Limited was selected to develop a new interstate transmission project. The system is designed to help carry an additional 3 GW of renewable energy from the region and improve its connection to the national electricity grid.
Bellary & Davanagere,-RE Hotspots
The latest transmission approval is significant because it directly aligns with the long-term renewable energy evacuation roadmap prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), which had identified Karnataka as one of India’s major renewable energy growth regions. In the broader renewable evacuation planning exercise for southern India, Bellary and Davanagere/Chitradurga were identified as critical renewable energy zones due to their high solar and wind potential, availability of land and proximity to robust transmission infrastructure. The latest CERC-backed transmission augmentation effectively builds the grid backbone required to move large renewable energy volumes from these regions into the national grid.
According to the order, the transmission system has been planned after the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy identified additional renewable energy potential in Karnataka, particularly around Bellary and Davanagere. The Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL), in its submission to CERC, noted that connectivity for around 2,642 MW of renewable energy projects has already been agreed for grant at Bellary pooling station under the scheme. Developers associated with the planned connectivity include NTPC Renewable Energy Limited, Acme Solar Holdings Limited, Serentica Renewables India Private Limited and JSP Green Private Limited.
Scope of Work
The project will involve installing two 1500 MVA 765/400 kV transformers at Davanagere, along with six 500 MVA 400/220 kV transformers at Bellary. It will also include several high-voltage bays for renewable energy developers and a second 400 kV double-circuit transmission line between Bellary and Davanagere. These improvements are expected to greatly enhance the ability to transmit renewable power from Karnataka’s interior regions, where many large solar, wind, and hybrid projects are being developed.
Industry observers have long viewed transmission readiness as one of the biggest enablers for renewable energy deployment in Karnataka. Regions such as Bellary gained importance in renewable planning because of existing grid connectivity developed historically around mining, steel and thermal power infrastructure. The new transmission scheme is therefore expected to play a crucial role in avoiding future grid congestion while enabling utility-scale renewable projects to secure connectivity in one of southern India’s most active clean energy corridors.
Power Grid Corporation won the project through a competitive bidding process conducted by REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited, offering the lowest annual transmission charge of ₹1,300 million. Other bidders included Adani Energy Solutions Limited, H G Infra Engineering Limited, and Resonia Limited. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has invited public comments on the project licence by May 20, 2026, with a final hearing scheduled for May 25, 2026.
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