Ballari is emerging as a prominent hub for renewable energy. Recent reports from the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) highlight the district’s remarkable progress in adopting solar power. Currently, Ballari stands third among all districts in Karnataka in terms of commissioned solar projects.
These projects have a cumulative capacity of up to 736 MW, out of which 474 MW have already been allocated. With more solar projects in the pipeline, Ballari is solidifying its position as a renewable energy hotspot. Only Tumkur and Chitradurga districts have exceeded Ballari’s achievements in terms of commissioned solar projects.
According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Ballari possesses a significant wind energy potential of 7978.17 MW at a height of 120 meters. Currently, the district has successfully implemented wind power projects with a total capacity of 308 MW. In terms of the number of commissioned wind projects, Ballari ranks sixth among all districts in Karnataka.
One contributing factor to the rise of renewable energy in Ballari is the presence of numerous iron and steel industries that rely on iron ore as a raw material, explained Rishu Garg, Group Lead (Regulatory and Policy) at the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) in Bengaluru. Garg further emphasized the potential for developing renewable energy sources, such as solar power and waste-to-energy, to cater to these industries.
Additionally, there is a government requirement to integrate thermal energy with renewable energy. For instance, the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) can combine its thermal power from the Bellary Thermal Power Station with co-located renewable energy sources to optimize tariffs. This aspect also contributes to Ballari’s emergence as a renewable energy hotspot, as highlighted by Garg.
Ballari is home to significant thermal power stations, including the 1700 MW Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) and an 860 MW privately-owned thermal power plant operated by JSW. These power stations cater to the energy needs of the region and even supply surplus power under open access.
The district’s attractiveness for renewable energy projects stems from several factors. Firstly, it benefits from established transmission networks, ensuring efficient distribution of renewable electricity. Additionally, Ballari offers an abundance of low-cost barren lands that are easily available for renewable energy development. These factors, along with the district’s status as a transmission and generation hub, make it an ideal location for renewable energy projects.
Recognizing this potential, the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) has identified Ballari, along with Koppal, Gadag, and Chitradurga, as mega renewable energy hubs. KREDL aims to develop around 800 MW of hybrid projects (combining solar and wind energy) in each of these districts. Efforts are also underway to upgrade the transmission lines to support these renewable energy expansions.
In summary, Ballari’s existing thermal power stations, well-established transmission networks, availability of low-cost barren lands, and the initiatives of KREDL contribute to the district’s emergence as a favorable destination for renewable energy projects.
Transmission facilities have played a crucial role in supporting clean energy projects in Ballari, according to clean energy developers who have invested in the area.
Colonel Narendra Verma, COO (Utility Scale RE Projects) of CleanMax, which operates a 130 MW solar power plant in Ballari, highlighted the favorable solar and wind resources in the region and the availability of infrastructure, raw materials, and labor. The clean energy generated by their plant is supplied to corporate and industrial customers in Karnataka to meet their renewable energy targets.
However, while the renewable energy industry in Ballari has thrived, local residents like A. Yariswamy have faced challenges in securing employment in the booming industry due to a lack of specialized skills. Yariswamy mentioned that he previously worked as a mine worker and laborer, where no specific skills or training were required. The shortage of skilled workers in the renewable sector was evident during a visit to the district, indicating a need for skill development programs tailored to green jobs.
Sandeep Pai, Director of Swaniti Initiative, emphasized the importance of a just transition, which ensures an economically, environmentally, and socially fair shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. He noted that the situation in Ballari highlights the need for timely skill development initiatives to equip local workers with the necessary expertise in the emerging green economy, preventing skilled workers from outside the region from taking advantage of the new opportunities.
While the district collector, Pavan Kumar Malapati, acknowledged the lack of skill development programs specifically for green jobs in Ballari, KREDL Managing Director K.P. Rudrappaiah stated that the department plans to initiate special skill development programs for green jobs across the entire state. This training gives hope to former mine workers like Yariswamy, who aspire to secure stable employment in the renewable energy sector.
Yariswamy’s experience reflects the struggles faced by many workers in Ballari following the mining prohibition in 2011. The emergence of the renewable energy industry provides a potential pathway for long-term job security and economic stability in the region.
Yariswamy reveals that the sudden closure of iron ore mining in Ballari resulted in approximately 25,000 residents losing their jobs, and many are still fighting for their rights.
Another resident, M.V. Ravikumar, shares a similar story of hardship. He explains how his entire village, Vittalnagar in Sandur taluk, was closely connected to the mining sector before 2011, either through formal or informal roles. However, after the mining prohibition, unemployment became widespread, impacting household incomes.
During the early 2000s, the mining industry flourished in the region, with nearly every household having three members involved in mining-related occupations such as drivers and laborers. But now, only one member from each household manages to secure employment, leading to a significant reduction in overall income, according to Ravikumar.
H. Babbul, another resident from Vittalnagar, highlights the financial disparity between the past and present. Former mining workers have transitioned to agricultural labor or other types of work, and the lack of transportation provided by mining companies has increased their expenses. They now have to spend a significant portion of their daily wages on transportation when traveling to Ballari city or other towns for work.
Many workers residing in Sandur and neighboring areas, which once thrived due to mining activities, express disappointment that the growth of renewable projects in the district has not created enough job opportunities to absorb those left unemployed after the mining closure in 2011.
The rise of renewable energy in Ballari district is evident through the establishment of solar parks and wind power stations. Rajapura, located 34 kilometers from Sandur, is home to one of the largest solar parks in the district, owned by JSW. With a capacity of 125 MW, the solar park caters to the energy requirements of JSW’s steel plant. Local farmers and villagers collaborated with the company by leasing their land on a long-term basis, generating job opportunities for the community.
Siruguppa, situated approximately 60 kilometers from Ballari city, features expansive solar parks, alongside ongoing agricultural activities. Shahi Exports’ 32 MW solar park has become a notable landmark in the area.
The outskirts of Ballari city, particularly Sindegeri, showcase a series of windmills owned by Suzlon. These wind turbines have been operational for around a decade and are strategically positioned on hilltops, avoiding land acquisition challenges.
JSW, Suzlon, and Shahi Exports are not the only players in the renewable energy landscape of Ballari district. Various other renewable energy companies have established solar parks and wind power stations, either for their own energy requirements or engaging in commercial operations.
Recognizing the region’s potential, the Union government has identified Ballari as one of the Renewable Economic Zones (REZs) in Karnataka. The district’s renewable energy potential is projected to reach 1.5 GW by 2030, as per publicly available documents from the Karnataka government.