Karnataka's overall electricity consumption increases by 11.35% from August 2023 to July 2024

Hubballi: The extended high-temperature days and drought in Karnataka have resulted in a spike in the consumption of electricity.

Between August 2023 and July 2024, the overall domestic consumption of power in the state increased by 11.35 per cent (the consumption by Gruha Jyothi scheme beneficiaries increased by 7.13 per cent).

Except for Bescom (3.76 per cent), all other escoms witnessed a 10 per cent to 19.75 per cent rise last year. The state had witnessed a 4.64 per cent rise in overall electricity consumption between 2022 and 2023.

In 2023-24, the state’s overall household power consumption was 16,089 million units (Mus), which is 1,263 Mus higher than the consumption in 2022-23. Karnataka has around 1.98 crore households that receive electricity from one of the six electricity supply companies (escoms). More than 1.69 crore beneficiaries have enrolled for the scheme, of which 1.60 crore availing the benefit. The State government had given a 10 per cent buffer on the average 2022-23 power consumption for the households to receive a zero-electricity bill.

Sources in the energy department informed DH that the government had factored in that power consumption in the state could rise by a maximum of 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

A senior officer, requesting anonymity, said that the government had not allocated additional funds in the budget for the scheme but has been clearing the dues to escoms regularly.

Another senior officer said drought and high temperatures increased the households power consumption across the state. “However, with good rainfall this year we expect the power consumption to return to its average level.”
Due to the paucity of rain in 2023 summer there was a shortage of power supply in the State forcing the power supply companies to reduce power supply to irrigation pumpsets. Several areas in the state also used to report scheduled load shedding. There have also been instances where the government has purchased power from private players and national grid at Rs 7.42 to Rs 10 per unit during the peak season, said the officer.
Currently, the state's 63% of power requirements are met by renewable sources of energy, including hydro-power, solar, and wind among others.

Highlights
2021-22: Power consumption: 14,136.85 Mus
2022-23: 14825.55 Mus 
2023-24: 16,089.17 Mus 

Data Analysis
According to the data provided by the Energy Department the 1.60 crore Gruha Jyothi scheme beneficiaries utilised 1064 Mus between August ’23 and July ‘24. The State government has spent Rs 10,994.32 crore till October 2024 to implement one of its five guarantee schemes.
Bescom, with its highest beneficiaries of 66.97 lakh consumers saw an increase of 374.73 Mus compared to last year.

Despite Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) having 22.73 lakh beneficiaries their consumption of power increased by just 17.70 Mus this year. Hescom with 33.43 lakh beneficiaries utilised 261.31 Mus more than last year. Similarly, Gescom 20.67 lakh beneficiaries used an additional 231.06 Mus, Mescom (16.03 lakh beneficiaries) used 171.55 Mus additional power and HRECS with 87,547 consumers saw a 7.81 Mus increase in power consumption.