Bescom opens bids for 500 MW solar project to power farm pumps in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) has invited tenders for setting up solar panels under the Chief Minister-Solar Agriculture Scheme (CM-SKY), with a target to generate 500 MW of solar energy within its jurisdiction by December 2026.
CM-SKY, modelled on the central government's PM-KUSUM scheme, was announced by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the state budget in March 2026. The scheme aims to solarise existing grid-connected agricultural pumpsets by utilising barren or uncultivable land near power substations.
Under the scheme, private companies will enter into a lease agreement with farmers for 28 years to install solar panels. The energy generated will be transmitted to nearby Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) substations, fed into IP feeders and then to IP pumpsets. Farmers, who would otherwise leave such land unused, can earn a minimum of ₹25,000 per acre per year. Bescom has set the base price at ₹25,000 per acre, with the amount increasing by 5% annually. Companies may offer more depending on the land's proximity to substations.
According to Bescom officials, three to four acres are needed to generate one MW of solar power. The project will be implemented across several districts. Bescom's share of 500 MW will be spread across Bangalore Rural (19.52 MW), Chikkaballapura (29.52 MW), Chitradurga (127.95 MW), Davanagere (107.28 MW), Kolar (50 MW), Ramanagara (50.64 MW), and Tumakuru (115.17 MW), covering a total of 438 IP feeders and 1,49,934 IP pumpsets.
The electricity generated will be purchased from private vendors at ₹3.19 per unit, slightly higher than the ₹2.89 paid under PM-KUSUM C. Bescom officials explained that CM-SKY does not provide any financial assistance or subsidies to vendors, necessitating a higher tariff. The lowest bidder will be awarded a contract for 25 years, and a power purchase agreement will be signed for the same duration.
The state government aims to generate 1,000 MW through CM-SKY across all electricity supply companies (Escoms). Bescom has been allocated 500 MW, Hescom 300 MW, CESC 100 MW, Mescom 40 MW, and Gescom 60 MW. Officials said the project, if implemented without delays, is expected to attract investment of ₹10,500 crore by the end of this year.
Bescom has targeted areas where vendors have not yet opted for PM-KUSUM C to avoid overlap. The scheme promises cost-effective and uninterrupted power supply to farmers' pumpsets during the day, with at least seven hours of power provided, as installations will be within a 10-km radius of KPTCL substations.
Energy Minister K.J. George said the government is committed to providing uninterrupted, quality daytime power to farmers. He noted that the 1,000 MW feeder-level solarisation project will be implemented across all five Escoms, with Bescom allocated 500 MW to ensure reliable power supply to agricultural consumers.
