Pre-monsoon showers bring cheers to KPTCL

Following heavy rains in several places across the State, the power situation in the State has stabilised from a near crisis and for the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), it is a reprieve till the monsoon.

Rainfall over the past two weeks has brought some cheer to the KPCL, as the IP sets  consumption had dropped after the rains.

The State, which witnessed a consumption demand of up to 141 million units in April is now witnessing a fall in demand. Consumption dropped below 120 MU in the last week of April and first week of May. The lowest in the recent days was 112 MU on May 1, and on Tuesday, it was 114 MU.

The pressure on hydel power too has reduced to almost half as the major hydel power stations which were generating about 44 MU in March has now reduced it to 23 MU.

Similarly the overall generation too has dropped to 66 MU now. KPCL now says that it is capable of generating 70 MU till the end of June.

The State has 17 lakh IP sets, of which 15 lakh sets are regularised and the two lakh sets are unauthorised. Though the water inflow has increased the water level, the reservoir levels are comparatively less considering the statistics of the previous years.

The recent water level at Linganamakki stands at 1764.4 ft , while at Supa, it is 525.24 mtr and 575.22 mtr at Varahi.

Thermal power

Considering the availability of coal, the two thermal power stations are performing to their full capacity. The new single unit Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS), has added 10 MU recently, while the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) has added 33 MU.

The process at eighth unit of Raichur Thermal Power Station will begin in November. With the Hydraulic test having completed, the boiler will be lit up and it requires two months time for the synchronisation of the plant. Three more plants are coming up at Raichur.