Absolute power crisis 'corrupts' absolutely

Karnataka scene

The State has a total installed capacity of 10,640 MW (including the share of central grid), whereas the production is only about 6,000 MW, leaving a yawning gap between demand and availability. The current demand stands at 180 million units (mu) a day against the availability of 135-140 mu.

The State is heavily dependent on thermal and hydel power to meet its energy demands. However, thermal power projects have failed to deliver, while the generation at hydel units largely depends on water availability which in turn hinges on rainfall. The thermal power projects have an installed capacity of 2,220 MW while the generation is a mere 1,200 MW, with nearly half the capacity lying idle. Repairs have become a ritual at Raichur Thermal Power Plant (RTPS). The eight units of RTPS together are expected to generate 1,720 MW.

At present, only five units are functional, generating about 900 MW a day. The new problem of coal shortage due to the Telangana stir, hampering fuel arrivals from neighbouring Andhra’s Singareni Collieries, has aggravated the crisis. Three units have been shut down for annual maintenance.

The first two units of RTPS were commissioned in 1985 and 1986 respectively. According to RTPS authorities, no power plant can function to its full capacity after 25 years of service. Overhauling is due and an administrative decision in this regard is yet to be implemented. Karnataka Power Corporation Limited had chalked out a Rs 400-crore modernisation plan for the two ailing units in March 2010 and work was to start by October. The transfer of KPCL managing director S M Jaamdar ensured the project remained on paper. The 8th unit with 250 MW capacity, commissioned last year, is fraught with technical snags and will take some more time to go full throttle. Bellary Thermal Power Corporation’s plant  is also no stranger to technical snags and consequent closure.

Thermal projects at Yarmaras and Yadlapur have not taken off the ground even after three years. Similar is the state of the project at Gundia. Work on a 4,000-MW plant of National Thermal Power Corporation at Kudagi in Bijapur district is delayed due to land acquisition problems. Tender for the 48-month project should have been floated in September 2009.
Artificial shortage?

The present coal crisis itself is artificial, it is charged. The artificial scarcity was ‘created’ to compel the government to purchase costly power from independent power producers and corner commission, it is said. There are serious doubts about lean coal stocks at RTPS, which at one time used to have hoard  up to seven lakh tonnes. Both present and past officials concur on the artificial scarcity theory. Records show that RTPS had a stock of 5.29 lakh MT of coal in January 2009 and it came down to 1.61 lakh MT this June. There were clear signs of Telangana stir affecting the coal supply and with a little foresight, the shortage could have been off set, officials contend, pointing to the poor management of stock. Sources said some corrupt officers shifted out of RTPS in the past were back in more vantage positions. To cut a long story short, the all pervasive malaise – corruption - had not spared RTPS either.

Another reason for the frequent plant outages is the increased use - almost 75 per cent - of domestic coal in place of imported variety. Domestic coal was of poor quality and the use of washed coal could minimise problems.

Vicious cycle

The story of the hydel power plants is no better. The water level at major hydel stations – Linganamakki, Supa and Mani – is enough to generate a cumulative 29.62 mu a day till June next. But, the coal crisis has put added pressure on the hydel units, which have stepped up generation to 50 mu a day. This may deplete the water level, leading to another crisis by next summer. As it is, the demand for power has gone up to 160 mu a day this year from 130 mu last year, without a corresponding increase in generation.

The demand-supply mismatch has constrained the State government to go in for costly power purchases. A sum of Rs 7,209 crore has been spent on power purchase in the last three years - the cost of operationalising an entire power project, point out officers. As of now, the government is purchasing 1,500 MW power a day, spending on an average Rs 12 crore. The cost goes as high as Rs 12 an unit. Such an exorbitant purchase can only be an ad-hoc measure to tide over the crisis and not a permanent solution, KPC sources point out.

Electricity: Crisis without end

Operate commercially, deliver quality