Power scenario bleak in K'taka

Every summer, continuous supply of power is a dicey proposition in Karnataka. This summer too is no exception! With the demand for power expected to touch an all-time high of 148 million (MU) units per day in March-April this year, alarm bells have started ringing loud "" signalling at the sweaty days ahead.

The state-owned Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), which handles transmission and distribution of power, is beginning to find itself in a piquant situation as it can afford to supply only about 125-130 MUs per day by harnessing all the resources at its disposal.

"It will be tough situation this time," admitted KPTCL managing director Bharat Lal Meena to Business Standard.

In fact, when the demand for power peaked to 141 MUs per day in the summer of 2007, the effects on the common man and the industry were quite harsh.

While students appearing for their final examinations were forced to seek refuge in candlelight, the manufacturing sector witnessed its overhead costs shooting up as machines remained idle because of lack of power. A repeat telecast of the 2007 experience is likely to happen this year too.

According to the KPTCL's own projections, the total power required during February-May 2008 is 12,981 MUs and the power available from all sources is 11,155 MUs.

By the end of May, power deficit is likely to touch 1,826 MUs and that would manifest in more power cuts. What has compounded the problem is the Union government's recent decision to divert 100 MW of Karnataka's share in the central grid to Tamil Nadu because of political compulsions.

But the question is: What warrants this situation?

Well, the answer is: Pathetic planning! Though the number of new consumers is increasing rapidly, the power generation capacity has not gone up. While installed capacity from all the sources "" hydro, thermal, wind, co-generation, mini-hydel, biomass and nuclear "" remains at 8,184 megawatts (MW), consumer-addition is very high.

In Bangalore alone, about 20,000 new installations are serviced every month. The present energy availability in the state is pegged at 39,996 MUs, but the energy requirement by 2012 is estimated to be 53,540 MUs.

In fact, trailers on power supply-related horrors are already being shown. Though load-shedding should not be taken up in urban areas, the ground-reality is different. Bangalore city, which records a power consumption of 27 MUs per day as majority of the industries and commercial establishments are located here, has begun to witness power cuts.

Said Hemalatha Ramesh, a housewife and a resident of Marathalli: "We have seen KPTCL and Bescom officials being quoted in the media that there is no loadshedding in the city. But we experience power cuts on a daily basis. We don't understand what is happening."

However, Meena countered: "We are giving top-priority to Bangalore's power needs and are not resorting to load-shedding. These power cuts may be because of the maintenance works that are taken up."

But insiders in KPTCL and Bescom confess that 'maintenance works' and 'system constraints' are just phrases that are used to camouflage the word 'loadshedding', which requires the consent of the regulatory commission before it is formally announced.

KPTCL sources, who did not wish to be identified, said instructions have been given to all the electricity supply companies (Escoms) to 'save' power by resorting to cuts at frequent intervals, especially in rural areas.

Apart from these knee-jerk reactions, the KPTCL claims to have taken up various measures to overcome power shortage.

Meena said: "We have entered into a barter deal with Punjab for exchange of power and are holding negotiations with other states for purchase of surplus power. We have reduced transmission and distribution losses by six per cent and will focus more on this front. We plan to take up projects that will increase capacity by another 4,000 MW in the next five years."

KPTCL has also entered into an agreement with Andhra Pradesh-based Konaseema Gas Power Limited to source 600 MW of power. "We will get 100 MW from Konaseema Gas from next year," Meena added.

But the industry has a different take on the issue. Capacity addition has to be lauded, but priority should be given to the judicious and planned use of power, opined M G Prabhakar, chairman, energy committee, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

"A paradigm shift is required in the state's power sector. Efficient management of hydro power, planning the use of thermal power and having arrangements with captive power generation units and curbing the use of commercial energy for non-essential purposes will help in improving the power scenario in the state. Otherwise, it is like digging a well when the house is burning," he added.