The estimated cost for Karnataka project is Rs 1,036 crore and the central grant at 33 percent of the project cost is about Rs 342 crore, of which Rs 108 crore has been disbursed.
BENGALURU
Karnataka’s ambitious plan to strengthen renewable energy transmission infrastructure under Phase II of the Green Energy Corridor project has run into delays, prompting the state government to seek an extension of the completion deadline until July 31 next year.
The project, sanctioned by the Centre for states with significant renewable energy generation, is aimed at creating dedicated transmission infrastructure to evacuate solar and wind power into the national grid. Karnataka, one of India’s leading renewable energy producers, was among the key beneficiaries selected under the programme.
However, execution of the project has slowed considerably due to land acquisition challenges and difficulties in securing right of way for transmission lines and substations. Officials said these issues have emerged as the biggest obstacles in completing the project within the original March 31 deadline.
The Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), the implementing agency, has so far completed nearly 50 percent of the project work.
Launched in 2022, the second phase of the Green Energy Corridor project in Karnataka involves construction of 938 circuit kilometres of transmission lines along with substations having a combined capacity of 1,225 MVA. The infrastructure is expected to facilitate evacuation of nearly 2,640 MW of renewable energy across the state.
In a letter dated April 16 addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Gaurav Gupta cited several unforeseen challenges that had delayed implementation.
Gupta stated that despite sustained efforts by the state government and KPTCL, progress was hindered by persistent right of way issues and delays in certain technical components of the project.
One such delay involved the loop in loop out of the second circuit of the existing 220 kV Mahalingapura-Kudachi double-circuit line at the 220 kV Athani substation. Officials said the work order for the component could be issued only in January 2026 after conducting a fresh survey owing to anticipated right of way concerns.
According to data shared by the Ministry, 498 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and substations with 600 MVA capacity had been completed as of March 31. KPTCL has already awarded all 10 project packages.
