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POWERGRID Bags Inter-State Transmission Projects to Evacuate 3 GW of Renewable Power in Karnataka

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has emerged as the winning bidder in an auction conducted by REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) for the development of an inter-state transmission system (ISTS) aimed at evacuating large-scale renewable energy from Karnataka.

The transmission projects will facilitate the integration of 250 MW of renewable capacity at Davanagere and 2.75 GW at Bellary, taking the total capacity covered under the award to 3 GW. The projects are scheduled to be completed within 24 months, with the tender having been issued in September 2025.

Several players, including Adani Energy Solutions, HG Infra Engineering, and Resonia, had qualified in the technical evaluation stage. POWERGRID ultimately secured the projects through the competitive bidding process.

Project Scope and Infrastructure Additions

At the Davanagere Pooling Station (PS), POWERGRID will enhance transformation capacity through the installation of two 1,500 MVA, 765/400 kV interconnecting transformers (ICTs), marking the sixth and seventh ICT units at the facility. The scope includes the development of two 765 kV ICT bays, two 400 kV ICT bays, and a 400 kV bus sectionalizer.

The company will also establish four 220 kV line bays and one 400 kV line bay at Davanagere PS to enable the termination of dedicated transmission lines from renewable energy generators.

At the Bellary Pooling Station, the project involves the installation of six 400/220 kV ICTs, each rated at 500 MVA. Associated infrastructure includes six 400 kV ICT bays, six 220 kV ICT bays, two 220 kV bus sectionalizers, two 220 kV bus coupler bays, and two 220 kV transfer bus coupler bays. The scheduled commercial operation date has been fixed at 24 months from the transfer of the special purpose vehicle (SPV).

The transmission package also covers the construction of the second 400 kV (quad conductor) double-circuit line between Bellary and Davanagere, along with the installation of two 400 kV line bays each at the Bellary PS and the Davanagere/Chitradurga PS.

In addition, five 220 kV line bays will be developed at the Bellary PS to support direct connectivity for renewable energy developers.

Strategic Importance

The Government of India has identified approximately 17 GW of renewable energy potential in Karnataka, including 4 GW in Davanagere and 1.5 GW in Bellary. At present, transmission connectivity approvals cover around 3.9 GW at Davanagere PS and 1.5 GW at Bellary PS, highlighting the critical role of these new transmission assets in unlocking future renewable capacity.

With this win, POWERGRID continues to strengthen India’s renewable energy evacuation infrastructure, supporting the integration of large-scale clean power into the national grid.