Two major interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes for integrating additional RE potential in Karnataka have been proposed for development under the TBCB framework.
The two schemes are envisaged to cost over Rs.2,100 crore and would help integrate a total of 4.5 GW from RE-rich regions of Davanagere (0.25 GW), Bellary (2.75 GW) and Tumkur-II (1.5 GW).
In its latest meeting, National Committee on Transmission (NCT) cleared these two schemes that now await concurrence from the Union power ministry.
The broad details of the two schemes are:
Scheme: Transmission system strengthening for integration of additional RE potential at Davanagere (0.25 GW) and Bellary (2.75 GW)
Cost: Rs.1,111 crore
Implementation period: 24 months from SPV transfer
Bid process coordinator: REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL)
Scheme: Transmission system strengthening at Tumkur-II for integration of additional RE potential (1.5 GW)
Cost: Rs.1,051 crore
Implementation period: 24 months from SPV transfer
Bid process coordinator: PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL)
Rationale
In June 2025, the Union ministry for new & renewable energy (MNRE) suggested that evacuation infrastructure for additional 6 GW of RE potential in Karnataka would be required. These two schemes cover 4.5 GW while infrastructure for the remaining 1.5 GW, corresponding to Bijapur, is under finalization.
Two ISTS schemes dealing with RE evacuation Davanagere, Bellary and Tumkur-II are already under construction. For evacuation of 2 GW from Davanagere (including Chitradurga) and 1.5 GW from Bellary, PGCIL is implementing an ISTS-TBCB scheme housed under “Powergrid Chitradurga Bellary REZ Transmission Ltd.” For 1.5 GW at Tumkur-II, G R Infraprojects Ltd is implementing an ISTS-TBCB scheme incorporated under “Tumkur-II REZ Power Transmission Ltd.”
Project elements
Under the newly-approved Davanagere-Bellary scheme, transformation capacity of the upcoming Davanagere PS will be augmented by 2×1500 MVA, 765/400kV. Similarly, the Bellary PS will see its capacity enhanced by 6×500 MVA, 400/220kV. Besides, a second 400kV double-circuit line connecting the Davanagere and Bellary pooling stations will also be put up. It may be noted that the greenfield Davanagere PS (4×1500 MVA, 765/400kV and 4×500 MVA, 400/220kV) and Bellary PS (4×500 MVA, 400/220kV) are being developed by “Powergrid Chitradurga Bellary REZ Transmission Ltd.”
The new Tumkur-II scheme will see augmentation of transformation capacity of the upcoming Tumkur-II PS by 3×500 MVA, 400/220kV, taking the total capacity of the Tumkur-II PS to 7×500 MVA at 400/220kV level. In addition, the new scheme will also connect Tumkur-II PS to Madhugiri substation through a 400kV double-circuit (quad) line running around 100 km. The Tumkur-II PS (4×500 MVA, 400/220kV) is coming up through “Tumkur-II REZ Power Transmission Ltd.”
Thus, the two new schemes, put together, will add a total of 11 interconnecting transformers with total capacity of 7,500 MVA, to the upcoming pooling stations at Davanagere, Bellary and Tumkur-II.
Featured photograph is for representation only