NHPC Adds 53.6 MW to 300 MW Karnisar Solar Project, Rajasthan

India’s state-run hydropower utility NHPC has declared the commercial operation of an additional 53.57 MW capacity at its 300 MW Karnisar Solar Power Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan, following a successful trial run on June 5, 2025, the company said in a regulatory filing. With this, the cumulative commercial operational capacity of the Karnisar project has reached 160.71 MW out of the total 300 MW, NHPC added.

The company had earlier commenced commercial operations for 107.14 MW at the project, effective April 12, 2025. In March, NHPC connected the Karnisar facility to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) and began injecting 31 MW of power into the grid.

NHPC previously said that commercial operations for the remaining 100 MW would be announced in phases, and the full 300 MW is expected to be commissioned by August 31, 2025. “This announcement is in continuation of our earlier letters dated May 12, 2022; February 16, 2024; September 30, 2024; March 31, 2025; and April 12, 2025,” the company said.

Solar Project Activity Ramps Up in Rajasthan

NHPC’s Karnisar solar project was launched in February 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who laid the foundation stone for the 300 MW Karnisar-Bhatiyan Solar Power Plant in Bikaner via video conferencing. The project, part of the Government of India’s CPSU Scheme Phase-II, Tranche-III, uses domestically manufactured bifacial modules. NHPC has invested over Rs. 1,732 crore in the project.

The company told in a regulatory filing, “NHPC has commissioned 107 MW out of 300 MW Solar Power Plant in Bikaner, Rajasthan under CPSU Scheme on 12th April’25 which is an important step in our ongoing efforts to diversify into other renewable energy sources.”

NHPC shared the details of the ongoing project in an investors call, the company management said, “In respect of 1000 MW Capacity Solar Power Projects allotted under CPSU Scheme, Tranche-II, we have already shared that we have commissioned 107 MW out of 300 MW Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and the full commissioning is expected by August’25. Further, a Sub-lease deed of Land has been executed in respect of the 600 MW Project in Gujarat, and Design & Engineering activities are in progress. Further, Land acquisition and erection works are in progress in respect of 100 MW Solar Project in Andhra Pradesh.”