Power situation in State grim

Water level in most of reservoirs low; 2 units at RTPS not functioning

 Even though some parts of the State have received rainfall in the last three weeks, the water level in the reservoirs has not risen sufficiently.

The reservoirs were not full even at the corresponding time last year, but there was an inflow of water. But this year, except Mani, all the other reservoirs have little or no water inflow. Last year, Mani had 1,598 cusec at the same time, but this year it is only 458 cusecs.

Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) MD S M Jaamdar said, “The level of water in all the reservoirs is extremely low. If there is no rainfall as expected, then it will be extremely difficult for us to produce power at the end of the month.”

Rainfall brought down the demand for power last week, hovering around 90 million units (mu), but it has steadily risen again.

Two units of Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) are non functional, hence the station is at present producing only 950 MW of power.

Increasing generation

The demand for power has stayed at 105 mu and above, since June 10.
Under the present circumstances, it would be inevitable to attempt to increase the power generation at hydel stations, when the demand increases.

This is because the State is purchasing power from only two private companies at the moment- GMR and Jindal. Supply from GMR had stopped for a few days as the company was facing problems at its plant, due to sand in the turbines.

The units at RTPS , will also be subject to annual maintenance during the monsoon seasons.

To balance all these factors, the Government might resort to load shedding. While there was no power to purchase in the summer months, the Government is now being offered 200 MW from National Power Trading Corporation (NPTC).

But the Government has decided not to purchase it. It might defer the decision, as power purchase will become inevitable, if the monsoon rains do not fill up the reservoirs.