News: BESCOM invited tenders to set up 500 MW of solar power projects under the Mukhyamantri Soura Shakti Yojana (CM-SKY).

CM-SKY Solar Project

• Target: BESCOM – 500 MW by December 2026.
• Total State Target: 1,000 MW across Karnataka’s Escoms.
• Other Escom Targets: Hescom – 300 MW; CESC – 100 MW; Mescom – 40 MW; Gescom – 60 MW.
• Model: Solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumpsets and IP feeders.

Farmer & Land Model

• Land: Private firms will lease barren/non-cultivable agricultural land from farmers.
• Lease Period: 28 years.
• Base Rent: ₹25,000/acre/year, increasing by 5% annually.
• Land Requirement: 3–4 acres for generating 1 MW of solar power.
• Benefit: Farmers earn rental income while their land is used for clean energy generation.

BESCOM Project Details

• Projects Identified: 54 projects across 7 districts.
• Feasibility: ~500.08 MW.
• IP Feeders: 438.
• IP Pumpsets: ~1.5 lakh.
• Power Purchase: BESCOM will purchase electricity from private vendors at ₹3.19/unit.
• PPA: 25 years.

Significance

• Reduces dependence on conventional power for agricultural irrigation.
• Promotes solarisation of agricultural feeders.
• Provides a stable income source to farmers through land leasing.
• Supports renewable energy and reduces subsidy burden.
• Advances Karnataka’s clean-energy and PM-KUSUM objectives.