City Kemp News
The State is currently facing about 3,000 mega watt (MW) of power shortage as against the total requirement of 8,000 MW. Of that, the total power shortage being faced by Bescom is 900 MW. Hence due to acute power shortage, Bescom on Thursday announced that there will be load shedding for three hours in the City and for four hours in other urban areas under its jurisdiction for a week with effect from Friday.
Till date there was a load shedding for two hours in the city. As the situation further worsened, Bescom resorted to three hours of load shedding between 7 am and 9 pm in three installments of one hour each. However, there will be no power cut for industrial, water supply and essential service feeders.
State Energy Ministers Meet
Energy Minister DK Shivakumar attended the “State Energy Ministers Meet” in New Delhi recently and put forth certain demands which need to be met by the central government for bettering the power situation in Karnataka.
He said that Karnataka is facing the worst drought in the last 40 years and this has resulted in Hydro electric power generation going down drastically. Karnataka is facing 3000 MW shortage between demand and production.
Highlights:
l Sanctioning of Forest and environmental clearances for Karnataka’s new Hydroelectric projects.
l Co-operation is required for kick-starting Mekedatu and Shivanasamudra hydro electric projects. Assistance was also sought for Inchampalli and Kunda projects.
l Inter state disputes have held up projects which can generate 4500MW. Minister requested the central government to intervene for speedy resolution
l Power Grid connectivity between North and South of India is not yet fully functional. Central Government must speed up completing these lines so that available cheaper power can be bought from the market.
The Minister also met Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu and requested for co-operation from Railway department to complete certain rail connectivity and coal transportation projects related to Karnataka’s power sector.
For Yermarus (1,600 MW) Thermal Power Plant to become operations in Raichur district, coal supply via rail and marshalling yards and siding need to be constructed. Railway Minister has positively responded to Karnataka’s demands.