Inviting investors, industry leaders and global renewable energy companies to explore opportunities in Karnataka, Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Government of Karnataka, said, “Come, invest in Karnataka - a State with a pioneering energy legacy, a progressive renewable energy ecosystem, investor-friendly policies and immense opportunities to power India's clean energy future.”
Gupta highlighted the State's abundant wind and solar resources, investor-friendly policies, automatic land conversion and plug-and-play infrastructure as key factors supporting renewable energy investments. He also referred to pioneering initiatives such as the Pavagada Solar Park, which operates under a unique 30-year land lease agreement with farmers.
Karnataka's renewable energy capacity has increased from 16 GW in 2022 to 23 GW, reflecting the expansion of the sector. The State now envisages adding 5–7 GW of renewable energy capacity annually, with a target of nearly 30 GW over the next five years.
The State also led the country in wind capacity addition during 2024–25, adding 1,331 MW. According to Gupta, this creates significant opportunities for renewable energy developers, technology providers and industry partners to participate in Karnataka's clean energy expansion.
Looking towards 2035, Karnataka's focus extends beyond increasing power generation capacity to developing a flexible, reliable and resilient clean energy ecosystem. Under the State's Resource Adequacy Plan (RAP), Karnataka envisages adding 41.5 GW of new wind and solar capacity and approximately 11,000 MWh of battery energy storage by 2034–35.
The State is already progressing with large-scale solar and energy storage projects. These include a 250 MW solar project with 1,100 MWh of storage at Ryapte, standalone battery storage projects and a significant pipeline of renewable energy projects across KPTCL substations.
Gupta also highlighted initiatives aimed at empowering farmers through PM-KUSUM, promoting green hydrogen and bioenergy, and creating opportunities for innovation, skill development and clean energy entrepreneurship. He said transparent, data-driven project planning, supportive policies and a robust investment ecosystem were strengthening Karnataka's position as a preferred destination for renewable energy development.
Divya Prabhu GRJ, Managing Director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), said Karnataka's participation as a State Partner at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 reflected the State's commitment to strengthening its position as a leading destination for renewable energy investments.
She said Karnataka has an installed renewable energy capacity of around 27 GW, accounting for nearly 67 per cent of its total installed power capacity. The State combines natural resources, progressive policies, robust infrastructure and a conducive investment ecosystem.
As the nodal agency, KREDL is working to strengthen the renewable energy ecosystem through capacity building, skill development programmes such as Surya Mitra and Vayumitra, technological advancement, incubation centres and industry-academia collaborations. These collaborations include institutions such as the University of New South Wales, IISc and IIMB.
Prabhu also highlighted the importance of transmission infrastructure in supporting renewable energy expansion. KPTCL has identified 27 dedicated substations for renewable energy projects to facilitate transmission connectivity.
A key highlight of Karnataka's participation at the summit was the plenary session titled ‘The Karnataka Advantage in Renewable Energy’. The session showcased the State's wind and solar potential, progressive policies, the Pavagada land-lease model and investor-friendly plug-and-play infrastructure.
Discussions covered investment opportunities in renewable energy, manufacturing, technological innovation, energy storage and industry-academia partnerships. The session also highlighted competitive tariffs, transparent project allocation and robust transmission infrastructure.
Investors, industry leaders and manufacturers participated in the session and appreciated the State's Resource Adequacy Plan and automatic land conversion initiative, described at the event as the first in the country.
Karnataka's representatives also participated in a panel discussion on ‘Repowering Wind Power Turbines’ as part of the summit's deliberations. Gaurav Gupta and Divya Prabhu GRJ joined wind manufacturers and industry leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges associated with repowering ageing wind turbines.
The discussion examined how advanced technologies could improve generation efficiency, optimise existing wind energy sites and unlock additional renewable energy potential.
A separate roundtable brought together industry leaders, renewable energy developers, manufacturers and key stakeholders to discuss Karnataka's future renewable energy roadmap. Participants assessed the effectiveness of existing policies and government support mechanisms in Karnataka and other States, identified areas requiring improvement to achieve the State's clean energy targets, and explored opportunities to position Karnataka as a preferred destination for clean energy deployment and manufacturing.
Industry representatives were also invited to share inputs for the State's forthcoming Renewable Energy Policy, as the current policy approaches its conclusion in May 2027.
The Karnataka Pavilion, established by KREDL, was another major attraction at the summit. Inspired by the architectural grandeur of the iconic Mysore Palace and Karnataka's pioneering electrical legacy, the pavilion presented the State's journey in the power sector.
Karnataka holds a significant place in India's electricity history through the establishment of the Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power Project, one of Asia's earliest hydroelectric power stations. Bengaluru also introduced India's first electric street lighting in 1905.
The pavilion provided visitors and investors with information about Karnataka's renewable energy potential, policy initiatives, key projects and investment opportunities.
K.J. George, Minister for Energy and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, said he was delighted with the State's participation as a State Partner at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026. He said Karnataka had showcased its rich energy-sector legacy, strong renewable energy potential and progressive policy framework.
George invited investors, industry leaders and global stakeholders to explore the opportunities available in Karnataka's renewable energy sector.
Through its participation in the summit, Karnataka is highlighting its renewable energy expansion plans, investment policies, infrastructure and technological initiatives. Its proposed addition of nearly 30 GW of renewable energy capacity over the next five years, alongside long-term plans for wind, solar and battery storage, forms a central part of the State's clean energy roadmap.
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