The Karnataka government soon plans to unveil a new solar power policy next monh and phase out certain power purchase agreements (PPAs) linked with must-use clauses.
There are no storage facilities for solar power, and the government finds it difficult to fulfil the rigid requirements of PPAs that were signed long back. The energy department is working on a plan to utilise solar power for the operation of irrigation pumpsets, offset must-use clauses in long-term PPAs and reduce power subsidies provided to farmers. The government will be revising the solar policy, which was formulated in 2014 and is up for renewal this year.