An industry body has said that judicious policy and administrative steps are required to solve the current power crisis.
Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) on Monday said Karnataka should increase short-term purchase to reduce scheduled load-shedding hours. It also asked the State government to examine the option of privatisation of power distribution which would enable unbundling of power sector by separating generation and transmission.
“This move (load-shedding) is bound to adversely impact the manufacturing sector given that the sector is struggling to maintain their production schedules,” said Anuj Sharma, President, BCIC.
The Chamber said Bescom (power supply company) has been forced to resort to power outages as reservoir levels have dropped due to weak monsoon and depleting wind power yield. Besides, coal-based generators like the Raichur Thermal Power Station, Ballari Thermal Power Station and Udupi Power Corporation Ltd have shut down units due to technical snags.
Thyagu Valliappa, Senior Vice-President, BCIC, said, “If immediate steps are not initiated by the State government to improve the energy supply situation in the State, it is likely to create a negative perception about new capex flowing into the State, specially with ‘Invest Karnataka’ meet around the corner. In the interest of the State’s business prospects we urge the Government to clearly chart out a long-term action plan so that load-shedding is minimised.”
BCIC said Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd should improve the capacity of its power plants for better utilisation of existing assets. It also sought reduction of transmission and commercial loss from 19 per cent to 10 per cent gradually over a period of 3-4 years.
The Chamber also wanted amendment to the Karnataka Land Act so that there can be rental lease agreement with land owner for wind projects; farming can continue in the balance land for revenue generation for farmer.
There should also be separate feeder for the agriculture sector to measure consumption while high efficiency IP sets needs to be installed to bill farm houses for continuous power supply, it added.