POWERGRID completes 2.5 GW solar evacuation project in Bidar
POWERGRID has fully commissioned a 2,500 MW solar energy zone transmission project in Bidar, Karnataka. The project was originally held by POWERGRID Bidar Transmission Limited, which merged with POWERGRID Khavda II-C Transmission Limited in March 2026. The company also won bids in September 2026 for transmission systems linked to renewable energy zones in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Bidar project, with 2,500 MW of capacity, is now fully operational. Its original owner, POWERGRID Bidar Transmission Limited, was merged into POWERGRID Khavda II-C Transmission Limited in March 2026.
In September 2026, POWERGRID won two competitive bids. One covers an interstate transmission system for Gujarat’s 7,500 MW Lakadia renewable energy zone, Phase II, on a build-own-operate-transfer basis, with quoted annual charges of Rs 11.52 billion. The other would evacuate 6 GW of solar from Rajasthan’s Barmer-II zone, with annual charges of Rs 32.44 billion.
The completed Bidar link may improve how solar generation reaches demand centres, potentially supporting reliability and enabling more renewable capacity in Karnataka. Communities near transmission routes could see construction jobs and grid upgrades, while land use and visual impacts may draw local attention. The Gujarat and Rajasthan awards suggest similar effects could follow there. Ultimately, benefits depend on implementation, tariffs, and how well affected residents are engaged.