"Power generation in the state has dipped. Therefore, we have no option but to resort to two-hour load shedding in urban areas," he told reporters here.
Shivakumar said due to technical snags in some thermal stations, the state government took the decision on load shedding.
"Technical snags in units of Raichur Thermal Power Station and some of the Udupi Power Corporation Limited has resulted in a shortfall of about 1,000 MW," he said.
The non-availability of as much as 650 MW from sugar industries also prompted the government to go for load shedding with immediate effect, Shivakumar said.