Power-starved Karnataka will soon issue fresh tenders to purchase 1,000 MW of power on short-term basis from southern States.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of elected representatives from districts coming under the jurisdiction of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) on Wednesday, Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the tender is being issued as the State did not receive a response from the northern region.
Transmission corridor
He was hopeful of securing a transmission corridor for adding the power purchased from the southern States to the State grid. Power purchased on short-term is expected to add to the financial burden on Electricity Supply Companies (Escoms).
He said the State was facing a shortage of 2,500 MW of power at present. “But, 500 MW of power from UPCL (Udupi Power Corporation Ltd.) will be restored by October 17,” Mr. Shivakumar said. In addition, Letter of Intent (LoI) had been issued for purchase of 400 MW to 500 MW of power from other sources.
The State was purchasing about 1,150 MW of power at Rs. 5.08 per unit. The State government had taken a decision to purchase 1,000 MW on medium-term and 2,000 MW on long-term to tide over the power crisis.
Conserving water
Mr. Shivakumar said efforts were under way to conserve water at Linganamakki and Sharavathi reservoirs to ensure hydel power generation even during the summer months next year when consumption is expected to peak.
“This is the period when students face examinations. We will conserve water for four months before the onset of summer,” he said.
The Minister said 8,000 linemen and 400 engineers recruited by KPTCL will be posted appropriately to different regions, depending on the vacancy and demand.
