Karnataka faces power shortage

With power consumption reaching 140 million units per day, Karnataka is planning to approach the power surplus states to augment supply during summer. The financial implication is estimated to be around Rs 200 crore per month.

Karnataka generates 117 million units of power per day, including the Central grid's contribution. Since power consumption has gone up by 20 per cent this year, the government can meet the demand by purchasing power or resort to load shedding.

In an effort to identify a feasible approach to tackle the problem, the state cabinet on Friday constituted a cabinet sub-committee.

"The sub-committee will decide whether power should be purchased to augment supply. The panel will submit its report by weekend to initiate further action," Karnataka's primary and secondary education minister Basavaraja Horatti told reporters.

The government may approach Kerala or Orissa, which are producing surplus power.

"Consumers are charged Rs 3.15 per unit of power by the electricity supply companies whereas the state has to purchase power at a rate of Rs 6.25 per unit. The government has to bear the additional burden," he noted.

The minister pointed out that the government may resort to selective load-shedding depending on the demand for power.

"If we are able to mobilise Rs 200 crore to meet the demand for power, there may be not be load-shedding. The cabinet sub-committee will take a final decision in this regard," he added.