NHPC Readies 300 MW Karnisar Solar Project to Supply Power to Punjab

NHPC, in continuation of its earlier announcement made on September 30, 2025, has now received the Certificate of Successful Trial Run Completion for the fifth and final phase. Under this phase, the company completed 85.72 MW of its 300 MW Karnisar Solar Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

With this achievement, the plant’s entire 300 MW capacity is now ready for Commercial Operation Date (COD). While mentioning these details in a regulatory filing, NHPC said that it would enter into a 25-year Power Usage Agreement (PUA) that will commence after approval from the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) and consent from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), which is the beneficiary of the electricity, which is expected shortly.

NHPC Commissions Solar Project In Phases

The Karnisar Solar Power Plant Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan, with a total investment of around Rs. 1732 Crore, was inaugurated in 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, it was in July that NHPC came close to partially commissioning its Karnisar Solar Power Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

NHPC last completed the trial run on June 29, 202,5, and eventually announced the commercial operation of the fourth phase, with a part capacity of 53.57 MW, on June 30, 2025, which took the total operational capacity to 214.28 MW out of the total 300 MW.

Solar Projects On The Rise 

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a slew of projects worth over ₹90,000 crore across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for three Grid Substations (GSS), which include 220 kV substations and associated lines at Jaisalmer and Bikaner. He also inaugurated a 220 kV GSS at Shiv in the Barmer district. These projects, worth over ₹490 crore, will significantly contribute to ensuring energy security in the region.