Power situation turns grim in State

Power situation turns grim in State
DH News Service, Raichur/Bangalore:
Power generation by all the seven units at the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) has come down by about 30 per cent following shortage of coal.


Well placed sources at the RTPS have expressed apprehension that the State might plunge into darkness if the same situation continues for another three-four days.

Delay in making payments to the coal companies due to pre-occupation of the State officials with the election work is said to be the reason for affecting the coal supply. As against the normal daily supply of five rakes of coal from the Western, Mahanadi and the Singreni Coal Mines, the supply has down to two or three rakes per day now.

The buffer stock is said to be enough for only three days.

Consequently as against the normal generation of 35 million units per day, all the seven units together are now generating 25 to 28 MUs.

Following the rise in the temperature, the daily consumption of power in the State has increased to 115 MUs to 120 MUs.

Meanwhile asserting that the situation at RTPS is “not alarming”, a senior officer in Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) denied that delay in releasing funds to the coal companies has affected the supply.

Not confined to State

Stating that power generating units all over the country are being hard pressed for coal during summer months, the officer contended that the situation is not unique to Karnataka alone. “Normally during summer, the coal production will be affected to some extent due to high temperature in coal mines. Now that efficiency is picking up all over the country, the railways have to ensure equal supply to all thermal generating stations.

“The railway won’t agree if we tell them that we want to have a buffer stock for five to seven days. And in places like Raichur where the temperature has already crossed 40 degree, it is not advisable to have higher stocks, because the chances of coal catching fire are more,” the officer explained.