On the sidelines of Windergy 2025, Chennai, the Renewable Watch crew interviewed
Okay.P. Rudrappaiah, Managing Director, Karnataka Renewable Power Growth Restricted (KREDL). He mentioned the state’s renewable power achievements, capability addition targets underneath the useful resource adequacy plan, upcoming hybrid and distributed tasks, and coverage initiatives to facilitate inexperienced power and manufacturing. Edited excerpts…
What have been the important thing achievements of KREDL prior to now 12 months?
KREDL was established in 1996 and has been instrumental in driving Karnataka’s renewable power transition. When the primary renewable power coverage was launched in 2009, the state’s put in capability was 2.5 GW. Beneath the present 2022-27 coverage, Karnataka’s put in renewable capability has reached 25 GW, out of a complete energy capability of 38 GW, which means that almost 66 per cent of the state’s energy comes from renewable sources. Of this, round 10 GW includes solar energy and over 7 GW includes wind, with the remaining being accounted for by hydropower and different sources.
The commissioning of the two GW Pavagada Photo voltaic Park by KREDL in 2019, one of many largest on this planet, marked a significant milestone and helped the state in assembly its rising power demand. Nevertheless, throughout the extreme drought of 2023, technology from each photo voltaic and wind sources dropped sharply, resulting in a day by day scarcity of about 2 GW. This expertise prompted Power Division, Karnataka Authorities to arrange a useful resource adequacy plan, which concluded that Karnataka would wish so as to add about 38 GW of renewable capacity by 2035 (together with 12 GW by 2030) via photo voltaic, wind and battery power storage programs (BESSs). Karnataka Energy Transmission Company Restricted (KPTCL) has deliberate round 27 new substations to assist this growth, and KREDL is aligning its tender timelines with
KPTCL’s infrastructure growth.
Key developer challenges equivalent to land conversion and evacuation are being addressed.
Is KREDL planning hybrid and round the clock renewable power tasks?
Sure. Karnataka is transferring decisively in the direction of hybrid and round the clock (RTC) renewable power tasks as a part of its long-term useful resource adequacy technique. The State’s Useful resource Adequacy Plan outlines a requirement of 38 GW of latest renewable capability by 2035, and the primary 12 GW being deliberate throughout 27 strategically situated substations which can be developed in a hybrid and storage-linked format.
Will these primarily be utility-scale tasks?
Sure, these can be utility-scale tasks.
Are there any plans for distributed renewable power initiatives?
Agriculture accounts for almost 40 per cent of Karnataka’s energy demand, particularly in areas served by Electrical energy Provide Firm. To satisfy this, KREDL is selling distributed renewable power tasks underneath the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme (PM-KUSUM), supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Power.
Beneath Part C of PM-KUSUM, letter of acceptance have been issued for about 2,400 MW of capability out of which 194 MW have been commissioned. Beneath Part B, off-grid photo voltaic pumps are being deployed, with 50 per cent subsidy from the state and 30 per cent from the central authorities, successfully masking 80 per cent of the fee for farmers. As well as, rooftop photo voltaic programs are being applied underneath the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with Bangalore Electrical energy Provide Firm Restricted because the nodal company.
Are there particular incentives out there for rooftop photo voltaic programs?
Sure. Karnataka gives a number of incentives for rooftop photo voltaic, significantly underneath the central authorities’s PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Households putting in rooftop programs can obtain subsidies of as much as Rs 78,000 for a 3 kW rooftop photo voltaic system.
What are the continuing initiatives within the hydropower phase?
Karnataka already has a powerful hydropower base. As well as, the state is growing a number of pumped storage tasks at varied recognized websites to assist renewable power integration and guarantee stability of the grid.
Aside from land and evacuation points, what are the opposite challenges confronted by builders?
Proper of approach stays a significant situation. The Authorities of Karnataka is addressing this by involving district-level authorities to facilitate early decision and guarantee smoother venture execution.
What different initiatives is KREDL taking to draw investments and construct capability?
KREDL is specializing in talent growth, internships and start-up incubation. The organisation is partnering with premier establishments equivalent to IISc, IIM, IIT Dharwad and the College of New South Wales, Sydney, in addition to with German agency TUV Rheinland, to conduct common coaching and capacity-building programmes. These initiatives goal to develop a talented workforce to assist the state’s large-scale renewable power growth.
Karnataka has a powerful renewable power manufacturing base. What’s the present standing of this phase?
Karnataka has lengthy been recognised as an investor-friendly state with progressive industrial insurance policies. The state hosts main producers, equivalent to LM Wind Energy (blades) and Emmvee Photo voltaic (modules).
Lately, INOX signed an settlement to fabricate wind generators within the state, and firms like Suzlon proceed to have a powerful presence. The state’s strong coverage framework and infrastructure proceed to draw new buyers.
What’s KREDL’s outlook for Karnataka’s renewable power sector and what are your key priorities for the approaching years?
India’s nationwide goal of 500 GW of renewable power capability by 2030 requires robust efficiency from main states equivalent to Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka goals to play a pivotal function on this by quickly scaling up renewable power capability via hybrid, solar-plus-storage, and rising applied sciences equivalent to inexperienced hydrogen. The main focus can be on accelerating capability addition, strengthening grid readiness and selling innovation to assist the nation’s clear power transition.
How is Karnataka acting on renewable buy obligation (RPO) compliance, and is it aligned with the useful resource adequacy plan?
The useful resource adequacy plan has been designed consistent with the RPO targets. Whereas there might sometimes be small shortfalls, Karnataka continues to be among the many main states in RPO compliance and is well-positioned to fulfill its future obligations.
