Power situation grim despite supply easing a bit

The power situation in the State remained grim with only slight increase in wind power supply and  additional output from Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL).

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said wind energy output has increased to 400 MW. It was below 100 MW a few days back. UPCL which was functioning below its installed capacity had started to add 212 MW to the state grid.

Besides, the recent rains had reduced the power demand in the areas served by Gulbarga electricity supply compnay, by 100 MW. In all, an additional 600 MW was available from Thursday.

However, the daily load shedding across the state would continue as the demand-supply gap remains wide. The state is facing a shortage of 3,600 MW to 4,000 MW of power. While the demand was around 9,500 MW, the supply was only about 5,800 MW to 6,000 MW.

He said the state has also decided to buy an additional 1,000 MW from the Central grid. He had spoken to industry representatives on load shedding. “Industries are being intimated in advance about the timing so that they can plan their schedules accordingly”, he said.

A policy in this regard would be finalised on September 15.

Bellary Thermal Power Station is also said to have started functioning. The power crisis is expected to ease within a week, although hydel power will be reserved for the distress months between January and April. The generation from the hydel plants this year has been only 50 per cent of the output during the same period last year.

 On BJP State President Pralhad Joshi and Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda slamming the state government for the present power crisis, Shivakumar said instead of politicising the issue, the duo should use their influence in the NDA government and help the state government get more power from the Central grid.

He said during the BJP regime in the state, power was purchased from private players at a whopping Rs 7 per unit.