A drone view shows sheep grazing on a pasture next to solar panels (Representative image)
Credit: Reuters Photo
Bengaluru: The Government of Karnataka and natural gas public enterprise GAIL (India) Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday to establish approximately 1 GW of renewable energy (RE) capacity in the state. The proposed investment for this initiative is pegged at Rs 5,000 crore.
“GAIL can initiate the projects by acquiring land from farmers on a lease basis or we will facilitate land allocation through KIADB. Necessary approvals, registration, and concessions will be provided swiftly,” said MB Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development.
Karnataka’s Pavagada Solar Park is currently producing 2,050 MW of energy annually, noted Minister for Energy KJ George.
Local farmers are ready to provide an additional 10,000 acres of land for a similar project, he added.
Patil stated that the MoU enables GAIL to explore and develop a diversified renewable energy portfolio, including ground-mounted solar, rooftop solar, floating solar, wind energy, and mandated storage solutions.
“GAIL is also keen to acquire suitable land parcels within solar parks in Karnataka to accelerate project implementation under its dedicated capital expenditure plan,” Patil added.
George remarked that this partnership would strengthen Karnataka’s standing as a green energy hub, while also generating employment and boosting infrastructure development. He added that the MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between GAIL and the Government of Karnataka.
GAIL has committed to achieve 100% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 categories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2035. To meet this target, the central PSU requires approximately 3,500 MW of RE capacity for captive consumption. Presently, GAIL’s renewable portfolio comprises just 135 MW, which includes 38.1 MW of wind energy operational in Karnataka.
Karnataka received investment commitments and MoUs worth Rs 4.26 lakh crore in renewable energy during the state’s Global Investors Meet - Invest Karnataka in March 2025.