As Karnataka enters the summer months, there is an electricity deficit of 300 to 500 MW (75 – 125 million units (MU)) during peak hours in some blocks, according to data provided by the Energy Department. Although the power situation in the State is largely stable now, the government is in the process of procuring electricity to bridge the deficit.
The shortfall exists in the purchased power segment, the data shows. “As there is a rise in the temperatures, the demand has increased during the evenings and the peak hours, which is when the small shortfall is felt. However, overall, we have no shortage as of now,” a senior official from the Energy Department told The Hindu.
This year, a peak demand of 17,220 MW was recorded in the State on March 12 and the highest energy consumption of 329.53 MU was recorded on March 22. The peak demand for summer is expected to touch 18,000 MW this year.
It has to be noted that the all-time high peak demand of 16,950 MW and the highest consumption of 294 MU was recorded on August 25, 2023, shortly before a power crisis set in Karnataka. Both of these records have already been broken this year.
However, the officials are confident about being able to maintain uninterrupted power supply in the State.
“We have tied up with the power exchange and have already procured 500 MW for April and May as we know that the demand is going to increase. We will also utilise hydro power. The power which we have conserved so far can be used for these two months,” the senior official said.
As of March 26, the quantum of energy available in the thermal plants of the State was 89.42 MU, in hydro stations 27.54 MU, 42.83 MU in solar energy, 9.09 MU wind energy, and over 160 MU energy from other sources.
In October 2023, as the State faced a power crisis there was a daily shortage of 40 to 50 MU. Through a series of measures, including power purchase through exchange, power swapping with other States, and imposition of Section 11 of the Electricity Act 2003, the shortfall was overcome in a month.
