KERC (Procurement of Energy from Renewable Sources) Regulations, 2026 — draft

Comments due (reported): 21 November 2026

Karnataka's regulator has proposed new renewable purchase obligation (RPO) rules that would raise the required renewable share from 35.95% in 2026-27 to 43.33% by 2029-30. The obligation would apply to discoms and to large open-access and captive consumers.

What changes

1. Total RPO would rise from 35.95% (2026-27) to 38.81% (2027-28), 41.36% (2028-29) and 43.33% (2029-30).
2. Split into wind, hydro, distributed renewable (projects under 10 MW, including rooftop solar) and other renewable categories; a distributed-RE shortfall cannot be offset by surplus elsewhere.
3. Obligated entities: discoms, open-access consumers with contracted demand of 1 MW or more, and grid-connected captive users of 1 MW or more.
4. Can be met through direct renewable purchase, storage-linked renewable power, captive plants of at least 250 kW, RECs or the CERC buyout price.
5. SLDC would monitor compliance; entities report by 31 July each year and non-compliance can lead to Section 142 proceedings.

Who is affected

Karnataka discoms · Open-access consumers · Captive power users · RE developers · REC traders

Official KERC copy not yet found on kerc.karnataka.gov.in. Details and the gazette date are as reported by SolarQuarter and Mercom; the deadline is 30 days from gazette publication, as reported. Mercom also reported a KERC draft with the same 43.33% 2029-30 target in November 2024.

Sources

• SolarQuarter, 28 Oct 2026

Last checked 31 October 2026. Summary for information; rely on the official gazette text.