The latest auction of 95 MW of solar projects in Karnataka under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan program has seen seven companies as their winners. The auction is an essential move towards the growth of decentralized renewable energy and will assist the farmers to gain daytime power and have additional income outlets. This tender will make Karnataka even stronger as a great solar state in India.
Involvement of multiple developers
The auction has attracted the attention of a wide range of developers of renewable energy, indicating the long-term belief in the PM-KUSUM framework. At the end, the number of companies that got project allocations was seven, which shows that there is a competitive bidding environment.
Such projects will be built in several districts, making sure that the total distribution of these in the region is balanced and causing a load that is less than the current power grid.
Target agricultural and rural benefits
The solar projects chosen under the PM-KUSUM scheme will be used to mainly assist the agricultural feeders and the decentralized power supply.
This will see farmers have access to a 24-hour supply of electricity during the day to irrigate their farms, and the extra power will be supplied to the grid and used to earn them more money.
Also, the scheme conserves the use of diesel pumps and carbon emissions in the rural locations.
Supporting Karnataka Clean Energy Targets
There is already a large installed solar capacity in Karnataka. Thus, the 95 MW KUSUM addition will correspond with the overall renewable energy and sustainability objectives in the state.
Moreover, decentralized solar projects contribute to the enhancement of grid stability, reduction of losses in transit, and energy security on the local scale.
Implementation and timelines
The victorious developers will sign power purchase contracts with condition distribution companies within the month. Subsequently, the project will be implemented, and the schedules will adhere to the central and state recommendations regarding the commissioning.
The central government through PM-KUSUM will also provide financial assistance to the project to enhance the viability of the project and capitalize on long-term investment.
Strengthening India’s energy transition
Through this auction, Karnataka has made the PM-KUSUM a key force behind the rural uptake of solar. The program, therefore, has continued to connect the gap between an increase in clean energy and agricultural welfare.
Decentralized solar is bound to become even more significant as the number of such auctions are implemented in the future, leading to a gradual transformation of India into a more sustainable and farmer-friendly energy ecosystem.
