Karnataka has reportedly stopped building of new solar energy projects in order to balance its renewable power purchase obligations and financial health of the power distribution companies (discoms
Livemint in its report on Thursday “Last month, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission said there will be no further bidding to procure solar energy from large-scale projects till further orders.”
The decision was conveyed by the commission in a letter dated 7 March to the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development (KERC).
KERC issues tenders for bulk renewable energy procurement for its discoms.
“The state will have to restrict procurement from high-cost sources “, said the commission in the letter citing the Karnataka’s power-surplus situation.
The commission further added the discoms have already contracted to procure adequate power from solar energy sources, which has enabled them to meet their renewable purchase obligations not only for financial year 2019-2020 but for another couple of years as well.
The Pavagada solar park in Tumkur district Karnataka is expected to house solar projects with about 2,000-Mw capacity at an investment of Rs 14,800 crore. Out of 2000 MW , over 600 Mw has already been commissioned.
According to ET the state has a total installed renewable energy generation capacity of 13,577 Mw.