Citing acute and chronic power shortage, the Karnataka government has invoked Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, to get generators to operate and maintain the generating stations to their maximum “exportable capacity and plant load factor” and supply power to the state grid.
The government issued orders in this regard on April 3, after the state high court upheld its stand on exercising powers under Section 11. The state justified its move on the grounds that daily electricity consumption is expected to be 145 million units in April against an availability of 120 million units. In May, the daily electricity consumption is expected to be 135-140 million units against the available 115 million units.
Industry sources told Business Standard that the government is taking a slew of measures to mitigate power shortage, which include maximisation of generation from various units in the state-owned sector, and purchase of power from outside. For March, tenders were invited to purchase an additional 1,000 Mw. Advance action was initiated on April 3 for procurement of power through bids for April to August.
Further, the state government said Karnataka has experienced a reduction in power availability from its share of the central generation stations. Against an allocation of 1,542 Mw daily, on an average about 1,250 Mw is being received, resulting in a shortage of 292 Mw per day.
The government has said that it is necessary to make power available to consumers in the coming months, especially with examinations scheduled and the harvesting season beginning in April. It has issued directions in this regard and sought all possible steps to increase power supply to farmer by two hours every day till the onset of monsoon. Adequate coal stock is also being maintained by the Karnataka Power Company at its thermal power stations.