Rising adoption of solar power and electric vehicles is expected to play a major role in shaping future electricity demand in Bengaluru, as the city continues to expand economically and demographically, according to officials of Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited, Deccan Herald reported.
BESCOM officials said Bengaluru has emerged as one of the leading cities in rooftop solar adoption. While this reduces electricity sales from consumers who generate their own power, it supports Karnataka’s renewable energy goals. The reduction mainly affects energy charges, while fixed charges continue to help cover the cost of maintaining the power grid.
The utility said it will continue implementing net metering in line with regulatory rules while ensuring grid stability and fair cost recovery. The aim is to balance consumer participation in renewable energy with the financial sustainability of the utility.
At the same time, BESCOM is expanding infrastructure to support the growing number of electric vehicles in the city. The utility currently operates 209 EV charging stations and plans to encourage greater EV adoption by keeping charging prices low.
BESCOM Managing Director N. Shivashankara said many users of BESCOM charging stations are gig workers, delivery personnel and autorickshaw drivers. He said the organisation currently views EV charging as a public service rather than a profit-making activity.
Officials said the focus is on preparing the grid for the rising number of electric vehicles while managing future demand. Measures such as controlled charging schedules, time-of-day tariffs and renewable energy integration are part of the strategy.
BESCOM estimates that electricity demand from electric vehicles in the city could reach 955.37 million units with a load of 363.54 megawatts by 2030. In comparison, EV energy demand stood at 257.31 million units with a load of 97.91 megawatts in 2025.
Apart from EV adoption, rapid economic expansion in Bengaluru is also increasing electricity consumption. The city has seen strong growth in IT companies, data centres, commercial establishments, start-ups and manufacturing units, all of which require a reliable power supply and contribute to higher base and peak demand.
Large infrastructure projects are also expected to add further pressure on the power system. Expansion of the metro rail network, development of industrial corridors and peripheral townships, and the city’s expanding urban population are likely to increase the load on the grid.
Bengaluru also hosts several educational and research institutions that attract a large student population. The development of hostels, research facilities and technology parks associated with these institutions has further increased electricity consumption. Job-related migration to the city has also pushed up residential electricity use.
BESCOM officials said the utility does not have an exact estimate of how much electricity demand will grow over the next decade. However, historical load growth data is used to study past consumption trends, seasonal changes and peak demand patterns, which helps in projecting future demand.
To meet the expected growth, BESCOM is expanding its renewable energy portfolio and aims to add between 5,000 and 6,000 megawatts of renewable power. The focus is on distributed renewable energy, especially solar power generated close to where it is consumed, which reduces pressure on transmission infrastructure.
Shivashankara said solar power can also help reduce costs for the utility. According to him, thermal power costs around Rs 6.99 per unit, while hydroelectric power costs about Rs 1.03 per unit. Solar power costs less than Rs 5 per unit, making it a relatively affordable option. Local solar generation also reduces transmission and power procurement costs when electricity demand rises.
Several government initiatives are also being implemented to manage energy demand. Programmes such as PM Kusum and PM Suryaghar aim to increase solar energy capacity. One such project is a 750-megawatt solar plant under the PM-Kusum C scheme that is expected to supply low-cost power.
Data from BESCOM shows that rooftop solar installations in Bengaluru are increasing every year. The city currently has 22,219 installations with a combined capacity of about 460,226.63 kilowatt-peak.
According to BESCOM data, Bengaluru has 8,81,006 commercial electricity connections and 59,82,156 domestic connections. These consume 5,104.68 million units and 7,399.63 million units of electricity respectively.
The utility is also encouraging energy efficiency measures to reduce demand. The widespread adoption of LED lighting has lowered electricity consumption in homes and businesses compared to conventional lighting. Consumers are also encouraged to use five-star-rated appliances certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, as such appliances use less electricity while delivering the same level of performance.A response from the office of K. J. George said the state remains committed to promoting rooftop solar and electric mobility as part of India’s clean energy transition. The government aims to ensure affordable EV charging, upgrade infrastructure and introduce sustainable tariff systems so that renewable energy growth, clean transportation and grid reliability move forward together.
