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As the power situation in Karnataka worsens, industries fear that the duration of power cut is set to lengthen.
As of now, the State government has imposed power cut of one day per week, which the industry fears will be extended to two a week.
1,500 MW shortage The State is facing shortage of 1,500 MW and with no additional water in the reservoirs, hydel power generation, which constitutes nearly 60 per cent of the total generation, is likely to be severely affected.
Solar power generation is a measly 300 MW while the peak season for wind power generation is over. The only way out for the State is the northeast monsoon, which is yet to set in. With frequent breakdowns in most of the thermal power stations, dependence on them has become unreliable. The Udupi Power Corporation is running at half the capacity while Karnataka Power Corporation’s power station at Bellary is short of coal supply.
The situation is aggravated as many States have imposed restrictions on power generation companies from selling power outside the State. Since monsoon has failed in many western and eastern States, power is absorbed at the source itself.
SMEs worst-hit The worst sufferers are the small and medium enterprises. As most of them do not have captive power plants, they have to depend solely on the State power generating units.
“There is no doubt that the State is passing through a difficult phase. Industry as a whole, especially SMEs, is facing an uphill task,” S Chandrasekhar, Managing Director, Bhoruka Power Corporation Ltd, told Business Line .
Staggered holidays Anuj Sharma, President, BCIC, said, “The return of staggered holidays to offset load shedding in and around Bangalore by Bescom does not come as a surprise to us given the poor power generation management this year in the State.”
“The problems could have been avoided by judicious policymaking, appropriate planning and administrative steps to improve the generation capacity, efficiency of generation, portfolio balancing and maintenance of existing units,” he added.
Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) President Tallam R Dwarakanath said, “We have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister to resolve the issue and to make efforts to purchase additional power at the earliest.”
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