Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday told the Energy department that there was no question of effecting load-shedding from December onwards. To ensure continued supply of power, he has approved purchase of up to 1,500 MW of energy.

As the water stored in reservoirs is expected to drastically reduce December onwards, the department has been forced to draw up a contingency plan, including purchase of additional power.

Siddaramaiah, who held a review meeting on the functioning of thermal power plants in Raichur, Ballari and Yeramarus, directed officials to ensure seven hours of continuous power supply (three phase) to farmers. As one of the units (unit 3) of the Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) has been down for more than a week due to non-availability of water, Siddaramaiah instructed the Water Resources department to release 60 cusecs of water from the Tungabhadra reservoir.

The department has promised to release water to BTPS from January-end, which will facilitate generation of 450 MW. As there has been continuous breakdown of the thermal stations, Siddaramaiah has asked authorities to ensure that they are kept in running condition till the onset of monsoon. Given the prevailing drought conditions owing to a failed monsoon this year too, demand for energy is expected to go beyond 10,000 MW per day. On Saturday, the demand stood at 7,858 MW, given that it is the weekend. Else, the demand goes up to 9,500 MW every day. According to officials, November 7 recorded the highest demand (9,800 MW) this month.

Yeramarus generation

Officials promised Siddaramaiah that generation of power from the Yeramarus Thermal Power Station would start on December 15. While one unit is ready, the second unit is likely to be ready by March. The first unit is expected to generate about 400 to 500 MW. The total installed capacity of the two units is 1,600 MW (800 MW each). Officials said that the state was expecting about 400 MW from NTPC’s Kudagi power plant, December-end onwards.

Presently, the department is purchasing around 800 MW from various sources. While 4,342 MW is being generated from thermal and hydro stations; around 2,400 MW is coming from the Central grid. KPTCL is getting around 900 MW from non-conventional sources.

Inputs from DHNS