Karnataka has no immediate need for load-shedding, minister says
Karnataka Energy Minister K.J. George says the State is managing a power shortage of about 1,000 MW by procuring electricity from other States and does not currently need load-shedding. He warned that the issue could be reconsidered if demand rises, while repairs and weaker renewable generation continue to constrain supply.
Karnataka is not currently facing a situation requiring load-shedding, Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George said on Sunday, despite a power shortage of about 1,000 MW. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, George said the Energy Department had managed the situation for six to eight months by purchasing additional electricity from other States.
He said the government would consider power cuts if demand increased further. Karnataka has been procuring power from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. George said, however, that several States were also experiencing shortages because of poor monsoon conditions.
He said requests for 500 MW from other States were sometimes being met with only 50 MW or 100 MW. Karnataka’s thermal plant at Raichur was undergoing repairs, while cloudy weather and reduced wind had lowered generation from renewable sources. The minister acknowledged that power supply had been affected for two days.
Irrigation pump sets received six hours of electricity instead of the scheduled seven hours, but he said the full supply would soon be restored. George said electricity demand was increasing, although the State was managing the immediate situation. Any decision to introduce load-shedding, he said, would be discussed with Chief Minister D.K.
Shivakumar and the Cabinet. The minister also rejected speculation about former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s political relations, saying Siddaramaiah would speak whenever he wanted. He said Congress leaders H.C.
Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi remained part of the party and maintained cordial relations. Asked about an engineer’s disappearance, George said the matter should be raised with the department or minister concerned and declined to provide further comment.
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