Power System Transformation Workshop #3: State of Karnataka

India is the third-largest energy consuming country in the world. According to the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2020, India has become one of the largest source of energy demand growth globally, and is making remarkable progress towards its universal electrification target, with 100 million people gaining access in 2018 alone. Per-capita electricity consumption is still around a third of the world average, but total Indian electricity demand is expected to start expanding again in the coming years following the significant demand drop in 2020 due to Covid19. India faces a triad of challenges: how to expand energy access and integrate renewable energy, all while transitioning to a low-carbon electricity system to achieve ambitious economic, social and climate objectives.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) with the sponsorship of the British High Commission, in partnership with NITI Aayog and The Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) will be organising a Karnataka Power System Transformation Workshop to inform the government of Karnataka’s actions for integrating solar and wind into its electricity system.

IEA observes that the increasing share of solar and wind (at over 30% of annual generation and sometimes over 70% of hourly demand) is already redifining how Karnataka’s power system is operated. Challenges such as solar and wind curtailment started to emerge in the last few years, and intensified in 2020. Other countries and regions such as Denmark, UK, Australia, Germany, various Chinese provinces and US states have already adopted certain measures in light of similar challenges.

The proposed workshop can highlight what Karnataka can learn from these international experiences, and what other regions around the world can learn from Karnataka. The workshop will provide a platform for local and international experts to share ideas and identify key recommendations for power system planning, operation and flexibility in order to successfully integrate increasing shares of variable renewable energy. 

This workshop is the third of the series of three workshops supported through the IEA’s Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP), with particular thanks to the contribution of the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).