Bikaner: State-owned hydroelectric giant NHPC Limited continues to make significant strides in India’s renewable energy transition. In a major update, the company announced the commercial operation of the third phase of its 300 MW Karnisar Solar Power Project located in Bikaner, Rajasthan. This phase, with a capacity of 53.57 MW, was officially commissioned on June 7, 2025, following the successful completion of trial runs on June 5, 2025.
This brings the cumulative commercial operational capacity of the project to 160.71 MW, reflecting NHPC’s focused momentum in scaling up green energy infrastructure.
Details of the Project Commissioning
According to a regulatory filing with stock exchanges, NHPC stated, “After successful completion of the trial run on 05.06.2025, NHPC declares the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the third phase of part capacity of 53.57 MW with effect from 07.06.2025.”
Previously, NHPC had commissioned 107.14 MW of the same project on April 12, 2025. With the third phase now online, only 139.29 MW remains to be commissioned, the timeline for which will be communicated in due course.
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Project Overview: Karnisar Solar Power Plant
Launched in February 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing, the Karnisar-Bhatiyan Solar Power Plant is part of the Government of India’s CPSU Scheme Phase-II, Tranche-III. The plant employs domestically manufactured bifacial solar modules, aligning with the country’s Make in India and self-reliance goals.
- Total Project Capacity: 300 MW
- Commissioned So Far: 160.71 MW
- Remaining: 139.29 MW
- Total Investment: ₹1,732 crore
Strategic Importance and Financial Performance
The Karnisar project marks NHPC’s continued diversification beyond hydroelectric power into solar energy, reinforcing its role as a multi-dimensional renewable energy company.
This comes on the back of a strong financial performance-
- Q4 FY25 Net Profit: ₹919.63 crore (up 52% YoY)
- Revenue Growth: 114% in operations
- Final Dividend Announced: ₹0.51 per equity share (subject to shareholder approval)
- Interim Dividend (March 2025): ₹1.40 per share
- Capital Raising Plans: Up to ₹2,000 crore through private bond placement announced in April 2025
A Renewable Future on the Horizon
NHPC’s Karnisar Solar Power Project is a critical piece in India’s solar capacity puzzle, particularly for sun-rich states like Rajasthan, which are being transformed into clean energy hubs. The company’s commitment to renewable growth through large-scale solar deployment reaffirms the government’s larger goals under the National Solar Mission and Energy Transition Roadmap.
With 160.71 MW already operational and more capacity soon to follow, NHPC is well on track to commission the full 300 MW project and strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem.
About NHPC
Founded in 1975, NHPC Limited is a leading public sector hydropower company, which has recently diversified into solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy projects, aligning with India’s renewable energy goals. At present, NHPC is a Navaratna enterprise of the Government of India and among the top ten companies in the country in terms of investment base. Baira Suil Power station in Salooni tehsil of Chamba district was the first project undertaken by NHPC.
