Budget 2026: Karnataka to push renewable energy with new scheme under KUSUM-C model, boost solar and EV charging infrastructure
The Hindu
Karnataka's 2026 budget promotes renewable energy with a new scheme, boosting solar power for farmers, and EV charging infrastructure.
The government of Karnataka will implement a new scheme called ‘Mukhya Mantri Saura Krishi Yojane’ under the KUSUM-C model, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced while presenting the budget on March 6. The scheme aims to commission solar power plants with a total capacity of 3,000 MW across Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) sub-centres under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, at an estimated cost of ₹10,500 crore.
The objectives of the the KUSUM-C scheme, initiated by the Union Government, are to enable farmers to generate their own solar energy, shift grid-connected agricultural pumps to solar power, reduce reliance on conventional electricity, and sell surplus power back to the grid.
The announcement by Mr. Siddaramaiah is an attempt to push renewable energy and strengthen electricity infrastructure in Karnataka. Over the last three years, the government has spent ₹48,000 crore on free electricity subsidy, benefiting 36 lakh irrigation pump sets, and supporting 21 lakh farmers, who form the backbone of the State’s agriculture sector. This year, ₹19,290 crore has been earmarked for the subsidy programme, the Chief Minister said.
To date, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that 1.74 crore consumers have enrolled under the Gruha Jyothi Scheme, one of the State’s five guarantee programmes. Over the past three years, ₹28,000 crore has been spent on the scheme, while ₹10,578 crore has been allocated for this year. During 2024-25, the Gruha Jyothi Scheme received an allocation of ₹9,657 crore, while ₹10,100 crore was earmarked for 2025-26.
Under the KUSUM-C framework, decentralised feeder solarisation of irrigation pumps is underway, with projects totalling 2,777 MW planned for the current year.
To strengthen the transmission network, KPTCL added 100 new sub-stations in 2025-26, with another 100 planned for 2026-27.
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