Spurt in usage of electricity on New Year’s Eve

Spurt in usage of electricity on New Year’s Eve
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The state was surely ‘high on power’ for New Year celebrations.
Power consumption in the state was as high as 124 million units (MU) and 27 MU in Bangalore on December 31. The average power consumption of the state is 115 MU, while in Bangalore, it’s 24 MU.
However, the power scenario in the state will not so bright in the days to come and the state will reel under severe power shortage in the summer. To make matters worse, the Centre has annouced a cut in state government’s power quota; the state stands to lose 150 MW of power from its quota.
KPTC sources said the state faces a shortage of 15% during the peak season.
To meet the growing demand, the state had earlier requested the Centre to supply an additional 500 MW. Power consumed by the 16 lakh irrigation pumpsets in rural areas, which need 26-30% of the total power, has increased due a lean rain season.
The state’s power consumption, which was below 100 MU till mid-November, has gone up to 120 MU.
As a result, distribution centres are hard-pressed to manage the load.
Unscheduled load-shedding has begun due to increased requirement in rural areas, said sources. KPTC managing director and Escoms chairman, Bharat Lal Meena, said: “It’s a tightrope walk, but the situation is not alarming. If the central electricity authority reduces 150 MW from the state’s total share of 1,400 MW, supply of power will be affected in the state. However, in the loneterm, it will not affect us.’’
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com