Karnataka faces daily power shortage of 1,500-2,000 MW; rain shortfall and wet coal blamed

Karnataka has also decided to buy electricity from other states and finalise swapping arrangements with Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. “The reservoir levels are very less when compared to last year, leading to heavy dependence on the thermal sources to meet the state demand. Also, in the month of October it was observed that renewable energy generation (wind and solar) has reduced considerably. Also, many of the coal mines from where the state receives its coal for thermal power plants have received heavy rains, due to which Karnataka Power Corporation Limited is receiving wet coal, resulting in frequent breakdowns of plants,” George said.

These adverse circumstances have led to the state facing an acute power shortage of approximately 1,500-2,000 MW, he said, adding that the energy department had initiated an action plan to address the shortfall.

Earlier Kumaraswamy attacked the government, saying the power cuts were adding to the rural distress caused by the rainfall shortage.

A note released by the minister’s office said the weak monsoons had resulted in low storage in hydroelectric plants, causing a generation loss of 2,970 mega units. Compared with the energy generation of up to 23 MUs during the summer months from wind-energy plants, only around 6 MUs were generated in August.

“To meet the increasing demand, power purchases are made through the day ahead market and the real-time market. The state has negotiated for swapping of power from UP during the pre-solar and post-solar hours to an extent of 300 to 600 MW for the period from October ’23 to May ’24. This power is to be returned to UP from June ’24 to Sept ’24. Similar swapping arrangement has been finalised with Punjab also for a quantum of 500 MW of round-the-clock power from November ’23 to May’24,” the note said.

Apart from this, the state is proposing to procure 1,250 MW of power through a short-term tender on a round-the-clock basis and 250 MW on the real-time market as and when required.