Karnataka Unveils Mukhya Mantri Saura Krishi Yojana

11 Mar 2026 CW Team

The announcement was described as similar to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Component-C scheme, often referred to as PM Kusum-C, which provides subsidies for the installation of solar units near agricultural electricity feeders. Officials indicated that the RESCO approach would allow private developers to set up and operate the plants while supplying power to local feeders. The aim was stated to be greater use of distributed solar generation to stabilise rural power supply.

The government also earmarked Rs 34 bn to establish Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that are considered crucial to boost the use of renewable energy. It was reported that BESS installations would be developed at the Huliyur, Pavagada and Kushtagi substations to manage intermittency and support grid integration.

Officials suggested the combined policy would reduce dependence on conventional sources during peak demand and enable better utilisation of daytime solar generation for agricultural needs. The programme was expected to lower line losses and improve supply reliability on farm feeders by injecting distributed solar into the local transmission network. The state budget allocation was presented as a strategic investment in the transition to cleaner power.

The plan was described as leveraging KPTCL infrastructure and state funding to accelerate deployment without imposing immediate capital burden on farmers. Authorities indicated that detailed implementation timelines and procurement modalities would be announced by the power department in due course.

The state government announced the Mukhya Mantri Saura Krishi Yojana to commission solar power plants with a capacity of 3,000 megawatt (MW) in Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) sub-centres under the Renewable Energy service company (RESCO) model. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the scheme would be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 105 bn. The scheme was presented as a state-level adaptation of a central initiative to expand solar capacity close to agricultural feeders. The announcement was described as similar to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Component-C scheme, often referred to as PM Kusum-C, which provides subsidies for the installation of solar units near agricultural electricity feeders. Officials indicated that the RESCO approach would allow private developers to set up and operate the plants while supplying power to local feeders. The aim was stated to be greater use of distributed solar generation to stabilise rural power supply. The government also earmarked Rs 34 bn to establish Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that are considered crucial to boost the use of renewable energy. It was reported that BESS installations would be developed at the Huliyur, Pavagada and Kushtagi substations to manage intermittency and support grid integration. Officials suggested the combined policy would reduce dependence on conventional sources during peak demand and enable better utilisation of daytime solar generation for agricultural needs. The programme was expected to lower line losses and improve supply reliability on farm feeders by injecting distributed solar into the local transmission network. The state budget allocation was presented as a strategic investment in the transition to cleaner power. The plan was described as leveraging KPTCL infrastructure and state funding to accelerate deployment without imposing immediate capital burden on farmers. Authorities indicated that detailed implementation timelines and procurement modalities would be announced by the power department in due course.

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