The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) is prepared to set up separate feeders to supply uninterrupted power supply to industries and has solicited suggestions from trade and industrial bodies.
Bescom Managing Director P. Manivannan disclosed this at an interaction organised by the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) with officials from the power sector here Saturday.
Responding to the demand from association members for uninterrupted power supply, Mr. Manivannan said Bescom has been asked by Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) to install separate feeders for industries.
All commercial and hoarding connections will get prepaid electric meters from September 1, he said.
‘Cut red tape'
In a memorandum, KASSIA president Prakash N. Raikar pointed out that small-scale industries require 128 MW in the city and 200 MW across the State. He urged Bescom to permit transfer of power connection from one place to another whenever an entrepreneur shifts his industry. The present restriction is burdensome, he pointed out.
Smart grid
Speaking earlier, KPTCL Managing Director P. Ravikumar said Bescom is in the process of establishing smart grid to offer hassle-free power supply through some of the substations, including five in Bangalore. Both he and Mr. Manivannan urged industrial establishments to opt for “Time-of-the Day Tariff” so as to exploit the huge amount of power available at night. There is about 45 per cent reduction in the demand for power between 1 a.m. and 3 p.m. compared to peak demand at 6 p.m. “We cannot shut down the thermal power stations,” said Mr. Ravikumar.
Asked if tariff would be reduced for those opting for night power supply, Mr. Manivannan said it is being considered.
Bifurcation under way
Mr. Ravikumar said the process of bifurcating agricultural power supply from lighting in rural areas is under way through the Nirantara Jyothi scheme. Once implemented, it will ensure round-the-clock supply for domestic lighting and six-hour three-phase supply for agricultural purposes.
Dwelling upon the interaction topic ‘Power Scenario for 2012-13', he said in 2011-12, about 1500 MW power would be added to the installed capacity of 11,278 MW, 785 MW in 2012-13, 937 MW in 2013-14, 2636 MW in 2014-15 and 3630 in 2015-16.
Reacting to various demands and complaints, Mr. Manivannan urged the associations to be a part of committees being set up by Bescom to resolve issues. “I want to keep the functioning of the company as open as possible by involving the stakeholders concerned,” he said.
