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Karnataka can expect a power tariff hike with the onset of summer. The highest hike may be reserved for industry.
Addressing a meeting organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry here on Wednesday evening, Mr M R Srinivasa Murthy, Chairman, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Authority, said: “The commercial establishments can pass on the additional costs to their customers, which cannot be done by domestic customers.”
Mr Murthy said that per unit power costs were expected to go up from Rs 2.57 last year to Rs 2.87 this year, before considering transmission costs.
Self-sufficient
Mr Murthy said that since September 1, 2010, there had been no shortage of power in the State. In the long-term , power generation units that are coming up in Raichur, Bellary and Gulbarga, would lead to self sufficiency.
“But over the next three to four years, Karnataka will have to make short and medium-term purchases,” felt Mr Murthy.
Mr Murthy also expressed concern over the fact that, in spite of development, around 12 lakh houses in the State don't have any electricity for lighting.
He said that the KERC had recommended that for villages, single phase power should be given for at least 11 hours from 6 PM to 6 AM, and added that this was being done most of the time.
Low consumption
India is consuming power that is below the international average and Karnataka's consumption is low even by Indian standards, Mr Murthy said.
“In Karnataka, the consumption is 684 units per person an year, while the Indian average is 735 ,” he said.
He said that Tamil Nadu consumes more (1,032 units per person an year) than Karnataka, but even this falls short of the world average (2,500 units per person an year).
Many countries were in the 2,000 to 8,000 bracket, but the biggest consumer, according to Mr Murthy, was the US, which consumed 13,000 units per person per year.
“California is an exception and since the 70s, has kept its consumption less than 8,000 units per person per year,” said Mr Murthy.
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