Copious summer rains, coupled with availability of sufficient power from outside the State at moderate rates, have made the power supply situation in the State comfortable this year.

Following good rains in the catchment areas of all the major hydro-electric projects, storage levels in the reservoirs have risen to 41 per cent of their capacity from 32 per cent at this time last year, a senior KSEB official told Business Line .

Power from outside

The State also received more power than what was expected from outside the State from October-end onwards on an average of 11.8 millions units (mus) daily, under short-term contract at ₹4-5 a unit, the official said.

Another positive trend this year was the drop in consumption from January onwards. This has been attributed to the tariff hike. Many domestic consumers have restricted their consumption in peak hours so as to reduce their electricity bill. There was a decline of around 300 mus in the past 120 days, the official said.

The daily consumption has come down to an average 62.5 mus per day at present from 64.7 mus during this period last year, he said.

Storage levels

With the current water storage in the reservoirs, 1,640 mus power can be generated as against 1,100 mus last year, the official said.

From the Central pool and from other sources, especially Chattisgarh, 43.8 mus have been received since January. Apart from this, 20mus are generated from the hydel projects here.

Given the availability of power from the hydel and other sources under the existing contracts/agreements the KSEB might not have to go for high-cost thermal power this year, the official said.

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