The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has been awarded PFC Consulting’s inter-state transmission system (ISTS) strengthening project to evacuate renewable energy from Gadag and Koppal region in Karnataka.

The tender was floated in July 2024.

The scope of work involves the development, operation, and maintenance of the project on a build, own, operate, and transfer basis. It also includes the completion of all the necessary activities for integrating the renewable projects

The Koppal-II and Gadag-II power stations are being developed as part of more extensive plans to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.  Both projects are expected to be completed by December 2025.

The ongoing systems implementation for the transmission projects includes two 1500 MVA, 765/400 kV ICTs, two 500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICTs, and four 220 kV line bays as part of Koppal-II Phase-A. Additionally, the Koppal-II Phase-B project is currently under progress with the implementation of two 1500 MVA, 765/400 kV ICTs, two 500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICTs, and four additional 220 kV line bays.

Two 500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICTs, and four 220 kV line bays in Gadag-II Phase-A are also under implementation.

The Central Transmission Utility of India has received multiple applications from renewable energy developers seeking connectivity at Koppal-II PS and Gadag-II PS beyond the renewable energy potential declared at these pooling stations.

In June 2024, the government approved new ISTS programs amounting to ₹135.95 billion (~$1.63 billion) to evacuate 9 GW of renewable energy from Rajasthan and Karnataka.

In Karnataka the strengthening program was to evacuate 4.5 GW of renewable energy, specifically from the Koppal and Gadag areas. This program, with a budget of about ₹13.54 billion (~$162.1 million), is expected to be completed by June 2027.

In November 2023, ReNew commissioned its first ISTS project, the Koppal Transmission Program, to facilitate integration of 1.5 GW of renewable energy in Karnataka.