The power needs of Karnataka will be largely met by purchases for the present financial year.
In what could be termed as an indication of massive shortfall, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) is likely to purchase about 5,000 million units of power during 2013-14.
According to the statistics available from the 18th Electric Power Survey (EPS) Committee, the State faced a shortfall of not less than 9,320 MU during the financial year 2012-13. Drought during two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) is one of the reasons attributed for the deficit.
KPTCL officials state that the crisis on the power front will continue to remain the same till 2014-15 with short-term power purchase likely to go up due to lack of power generating capacity by the state-run power corporations. It is learnt that the Corporation is banking on north-south corridor to plug the deficit in a cost-effective manner. The corridor is expected to be operational by next year.
KPTCL Managing Director Selvakumar told Deccan Herald that the deficit would be plugged with the management of existing resources and the anticipated normal rainfall. He said in the long run, availability of cheap power will depend on north-south grid.
“Currently, the prices of power purchase are hitting the roof. We are expecting the corridor to be completed by May next year. However, it is too premature to say anything about the future situation,” Selvakumar said.
EPS statistics suggest that power consumption in the State will increase in all the three primary sectors - agriculture, domestic and industrial - by no less than 1,500 MW each.