Solar Boom, Grid Bust: Rajasthan’s 5GW Power Curtailment Crisis Published By Anupam Nath India’s renewable energy revolution is hitting a major roadblock in Rajasthan, the country’s solar powerhouse. Despite having the highest solar irradiation and the most sunshine days, the state is now grappling with a severe grid congestion crisis. In November 2025, the Northern Region Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC) was forced to direct major solar power producers—including Adani Group, NTPC Green, KKR-backed Serentica, EQT-backed Zelestra, and JSW Group—to curtail their peak-hour solar production by a staggering 5GW. This move, aimed at safeguarding grid security, has highlighted a critical mismatch between rapid solar capacity addition and slow transmission infrastructure development��.Rajasthan’s renewable energy capacity now stands at over 40GW, making it a leader in India’s clean energy transition. However, the state’s grid can only evacuate 18.35GW out of the 23GW capacity at its five major power pooling stations. This means that even “must-run” solar plants, which are supposed to operate at full capacity, are being forced to cut production due to evacuation constraints��. The result? Significant revenue losses for developers and a potential slowdown in the growth of solar power in the region.The NRLDC’s intervention was triggered by concerns over grid stability. With solar generation surging, especially during peak hours, the existing transmission lines are unable to handle the load. This has led to the issuance of mandatory no-objection certificates being restricted, effectively forcing producers to dial down their output. The impact is felt most acutely in Rajasthan, where the majority of India’s solar capacity is concentrated. The state’s high solar potential is being undermined by the lack of timely grid upgrades, which are essential to evacuate the power generated��.For developers, the curtailment is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it protects the grid from potential blackouts and ensures stability. On the other hand, it leads to substantial financial losses, as solar plants are unable to sell their full output. The situation is particularly dire for large players like Adani, NTPC, and JSW, who have invested heavily in Rajasthan’s solar infrastructure. The curtailment also raises questions about the sustainability of India’s renewable energy growth, especially if grid upgrades do not keep pace with capacity addition��.Looking ahead, the solution lies in accelerating transmission capacity expansion. The government and private sector must collaborate to fast-track grid projects, ensuring that solar power can be efficiently evacuated and distributed. Until then, Rajasthan’s solar boom may continue to face bottlenecks, with producers forced to cut power and investors facing uncertainty. The 5GW curtailment is not just a technical issue; it’s a wake-up call for India’s renewable energy ambitions��.In conclusion, while Rajasthan remains at the forefront of India’s solar revolution, the recent curtailment highlights the urgent need for robust grid infrastructure. Without timely upgrades, the state’s solar potential will remain untapped, and the country’s clean energy goals could be jeopardized. The 5GW power cut is a stark reminder that solar success depends not just on panels, but on the wires that carry their power
