Summer may be a tad better this year

• State tapping sources to ensure fewer power cuts

Bangalore, 02 January 2010: This summer, people in the State’s urban areas may not have to bear the brunt of the searing heat, as the government is going all out to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

 

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa assured the people that there would not be any power cut this summer. “By the grace of god, all our reservoirs (hydel) are full. Adequate power will be generated in the State to ensure proper supply. There will not be any power problem in summer,” he said.

 

Severe criticism for failing to provide effective power supply last summer has prompted the government to take steps beforehand to ensure a power cut-free summer this year. The luxury of quality, uninterrupted power supply may come at a cost though.

 

To ensure smooth supply of power, the government had entered into purchase-power deals with private power generators, official sources said. An agreement has been signed to buy up to 1,000 mega watt per day in the summer months.

 

Besides, almost all hydel reservoirs are filled to the brim, with about 80 per cent of the total capacity as against just 40 per cent last December.

 

The government has also managed to save water in the reservoirs for the summer. It is estimated that the power utility will be able to generate about 45 million units of power per day till June 2011.

 

The State could manage to save water in the dams by generating more power in thermal stations and purchasing power from outside. All seven units of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) are presently generating a total 1,400 MW power. Similarly, the Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) has been generating 495 MW.

 

In addition to this, about 600 MW of power is being purchased every day from private generators.

 

According to official sources, there are chances of the sick RTPS or the newly commissioned BTPS breaking down. If that happens, the State’s plans for uninterrupted power supply may go awry. More so because the estimated demand for power is expected to go up to 160 million units per day in summer.

 

Financial burden

 

The State government spends nearly Rs 400 to 450 crore every month on purchasing power from outside Karnataka. Fifty per cent of this financial burden is on Bescom, as it supplies maximum power and also earns the maximum revenue among Escoms.

 

The Escoms are having a tough time managing their finances, mainly due to free supply of power to the rural areas and reckless purchase of power.

 

According to sources, instead of clearing the arrears of Escoms, the State is making them purchase more power. As a result, Escoms have accumulated arrears of Rs 5,500 crore. The arrears were Rs 2,200 crore till two-and-a half years ago.

 

The KERC had allowed Escoms to increase the tariff, but the government put the hike on hold keeping the local body elections in view. Power consumers across the State, however, may have to pay 30 paise more a unit from January 6.

 

The government is focusing on better supply of power, especially in the rural areas, keeping in mind the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections. During the Panchayat elections, villages in the State were getting power supply 24/7.

 

State Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje is learnt to have called a meeting of top officials of the department to find ways to supply uninterrupted three-phase power supply for six hours in a day to rural areas.

 

Two months ago, the government used to provide three-phase power for three hours each in the morning and in the evening. Now the minister is planning to supply power for six hours at a stretch though for the rest of the day, the rural areas will continue to get single-phase power supply.