Power consumption 183 mu even before summer

Demand for peak summer is being pegged at 200 mu per day

With day temperatures gradually on the rise, power consumption too appears to be inching closer to the figures usually common to peak summer. According to data available with the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), the State’s power consumption touched 183 mu (million units) on January 9.

The overall average demand for peak summer is being pegged at 200 mu per day, according to the estimates submitted in December 2013 by the five electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the State. These estimates are according to the data submitted by Escoms for application for revision of tariff for 2014-15 fiscal. The expected demand for the peak of summer season in 2013 was estimated to be 185 mu per day.

M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy, Chairman, KERC, said the pattern in the State over the last few months has seen a steady rise in power consumption. While the average consumption for September was 137 mu per day, it was 151 mu per day in October, 162 mu per day in November and 168 mu per day in December. The average consumption in January so far has reached 177 mu per day, and touched 183 mu on Thursday.

Mr. Murthy said the consumption in September dipped a little as there was “lingering rain” till mid-October, which brought down consumption for agricultural purposes, such as use of irrigation pump sets.

However, Mr. Murthy said the Escoms had stated that they could manage mandated power supply. “About 45 to 50 mu can come from hydel sources, especially as the State has received enough rains during the monsoon. Power from the thermal stations alone can come up to 50 mu. These two together will add up to 100 mu. The remaining 100 mu can be managed with power from the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), central generating stations and short-term power purchases,” he explained.

Revision on time

Mr. Murthy brushed aside the possibility of postponing the tariff revision due to the vacancies in the commission. The terms of two of three members of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) ended in October last year.