Bescom invites tenders to set up 500MW solar project under Mukya Mantri Soura Shakti scheme

Bangalore Energy Supply Company Limited (Bescom) has issued an invitation for tenders to develop a 500MW solar project under the Mukya Mantri Saura Shakti Yojana (CM-SKY). This scheme aims to generate 500MW of solar energy within Bescom's control by December 2026, following the model of the Prime Minister's KUSUM scheme. The CM-SKY was introduced in the State budget in March 2026 by the previous Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah.

Private firms will concentrate on solarizing existing grid-connected agricultural pumpsets, with a preference for barren or unsuitable agricultural lands near sub-stations of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL). N. Shivashankar, the managing director of Bescom, explained that the firms will enter into a 28-year lease agreement with the farmers for the installation of solar panels.

The generated energy will be transmitted to nearby KPTCL sub-stations, injected into IP feeders, and eventually into IP pumpsets. Bescom has set a base price of ₹25,000 per acre for the land, which can increase by 5% annually depending on the proximity to KPTCL sub-stations. The lowest bidder will receive a 25-year contract. The Energy Department aims to generate 1000MW of electricity through this initiative, with 500MW allocated to Bescom, 300MW to Hescom, 100MW to CESC, 40MW to Mescom, and 60MW to Gescom.

After completion, electricity will be sold to private vendors at ₹3.19 per unit, slightly higher than the ₹2.89 per unit paid under PM-KUSUM C scheme. Bescom's decision to pay vendors more is due to the lack of financial assistance or subsidies in CM-SKY. The project is expected to attract an investment of ₹10,500 crore by the end of this year, with the goal of providing uninterrupted power supply to farmers' electrical pumpsets within a 10km range of KPTCL sub-stations.