Power crisis: Centre to be appealed to release 1,500 MW

Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said as the State was facing acute shortage of power, the government would appeal to Centre to release 1,500 mega watts of power out of the 15 per cent unallocated power.

Speaking to mediapersons during his maiden visit to the coal-based Udupi Power Corporation Limited here on Monday, the minister said there was a shortage of 2,000 to 3,000 mega watts of power in the State as nearly 115 taluks were reeling under severe drought.

The water storage in Linganamakki, Supa and Mani dams is only 40 per cent. With this the power generation is possible only for 15 more days if the poor rainfall continues, he added.

The minister said that Chief Minister Siddaramiah was in Delhi and he would appeal to the prime minister for allocation of 1,500 MW of power. He will also approach the union power minister on Wednesday to release power from 15 percent unallocated power available with the Centre.

Asserting that there will be no compromise on Karnataka’s interest, the minister said that the State was in urgent need of power.

There is fluctuation in the wind power. On Sunday,  a slightly better condition was observed in the wind blow with nearly 1,100 km per hour. The grids at Raichur and Ballari are dysfunctional. The government is trying all possible ways to procure power from external sources, he said.

Shivakumar said that power purchase agreement was negotiated for 900 MW through Karnataka Power Corporation Limited and KERC, and the price would be decided by the KERC. Jindal Company has come forward to offer 300 MW of power on exchange purchase while the Telangana Company has surrendered 1,000 MW of power.

Following this the power generation has been temporarily stopped at Linganamakki dam. He said the surrendered power is purchased on the spot.Pointing that gas-based power project will not be feasible, the minster said the gas-based power generation would cost Rs 9 to Rs 11 per unit. However, the CM will be laying the foundation stone for the gas-based power generation unit at Yelahanka next month while the issue concerning the proposed gas-based project at Bidadi was in the court.

The government has permitted the generation of 200 mega watts of solar power. The excess solar power will be purchased by the government at a cost of Rs 9.56 per unit. The proposal to set up ultra mega power project will also be considered.Declining to comment on the proposed extension of the UPCL power project, the minister said that the State government was ignorant and there are some procedures to be followed by the government if at all the proposed project is recommended.

Shivakumar said that State government had minimum say in the matter and Pollution Control Board would issue the environment clearance certificate.He assured that the UPCL would fulfill its commitment towards the society in the region. The company will be directed to fulfill its commitments.

He said the UPCL had stopped power generation since August 8 owing to turbidity in sea water. The Company has been instructed to go for alternative facilities for pumping of water and to immediately start functioning at least one unit. The district administration will ensure all support, he added.