June 11, 2025 – In a landmark event marking a pivotal moment for Karnataka’s sustainable energy future, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today officially inaugurated a pioneering 20 MW solar power plant in Gauribidanur. This significant installation, connected to the Thondebhavi and Manchenahalli substations, proudly stands as the largest solar plant completed under the PM-KUSUM scheme in Karnataka to date.
Sridhar Gadde, CEO of the Renewable Energy Business Unit, accompanied Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, providing key details about the project. In recognition of this significant achievement, our CEO was also personally felicitated during this event.
This remarkable achievement underscores MEIL's unparalleled commitment to accelerating renewable energy deployment. The entire 20 MW project was executed by MEIL within an astonishing one month, a testament to the exceptional speed, efficiency, and dedication of MEIL’s specialized Renewable Energy team. This rapid turnaround highlights MEIL’s capacity to deliver critical infrastructure projects with precision and pace, even those of substantial scale.
Under the broader framework of the PM-KUSUM scheme (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan), MEIL is executing a significant and comprehensive portfolio across Karnataka. This includes 689 MW of distributed solar projects spread across 88 substations in seven districts of Karnataka under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) jurisdiction.
These strategically located projects are designed to solarize agricultural pump sets through dedicated feeder lines, thereby providing farmers with a reliable, consistent, and clean energy source for their agricultural needs. MEIL's scope in these projects extends beyond just construction, encompassing the establishment of necessary 11 kV transmission lines and providing 25 years of dedicated operation and maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability.
The core objective of these initiatives is to empower the farming community by reducing their dependence on conventional power sources and mitigating energy costs, while also contributing to the nation's environmental goals. This achievement powerfully reflects MEIL's unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable energy infrastructure across India. It further reinforces the company’s ambitious mission to achieve a total of 3,000 MW of solar capacity under the PM-KUSUM scheme, significantly contributing to India's energy security and green footprint.
The successful completion and inauguration of the Gauribidanur solar plant is a source of immense pride not only for MEIL and its dedicated workforce but also for all stakeholders actively contributing towards a greener, more energy-secure, and prosperous future for India's farming community.