Karnataka has managed to secure additional power of about 1,300 MW from Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and private producers to tide over the summer months.
“As against the installed capacity of around 12,000 MW in the State, we have contracted additional 1,280 MW to tide over the summer period,” said a senior energy department official.
The State Government is sourcing additional power from Gujarat (500 MW), Chhattisgarh (250 MW) and Jindal (500 MW) and BMM Ispat (30 MW). Power has been contracted at Rs 4.30 - 4.80 a unit.
‘Reasonably comfortable’
At present, power situation in Karnataka is reasonably comfortable. In addition to power purchase, the official said, “We have added into production 500 MW from Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) unit 2 and 600 MW from Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL).”
The major power generation reservoirs – Linganamakki, Supa and Mani dams – are being used less. The government is planning to use them during summer months. After hiccups, now all units of Raichur thermal plants are working reasonably well and no shortage has occurred.
“To tide over the summer months, we are judiciously using our hydro power generation,” the official said.
At present, there are no complaints of load shedding in most of the industrial areas.
Welcoming the State’s power management, Chandrashekar, Managing Director, Bhoruka Power Corporation, said, “To ensure hydro power availability at a later date, the State is conserving its resources till the commencement of next monsoon. Peak power deficit in the State has been contained to 8 - 9 per cent.”
So far none of the five Escoms in the State has filed declaration of load shedding before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission Karnataka (KERC). Power outages in and around Bangalore at present is only due to system constraints, the official said.