Business Line
Karnataka utilities to supply entire power to State

Move to yield additional 500 MW; enhanced supply to rural areas.

Our Bureau

Bangalore, April 5

The State government has invoked Section 11 of Electricity Act, 2003, directing all power-generating stations to supply their entire power to the State.

Explaining the move as a fall-out of the ongoing power crisis in the State, the Chief Minister, Mr B S Yeddyurappa, said on Monday that the Government had directed all private producers to supply power within the State. With this, direction, the State would fetch an additional 500 MW.

Mr K Jairaj, Principal Secretary to the Energy Department, told Business Line that the current demand for power in the State was 155 Million Units per day while the supply was 125 Million Units per day.

The Government directive to all power stations would increase the power supply to 140 million units per day.

Mr Yeddyurappa said the Government was aware that farmers required increased water and power in April and May.

“We will ensure 12 hours power supply in rural areas (six hours three-phase and six hours single-phase).”

The Chief Minister, who also holds the energy portfolio, told the media that he had held a detailed review with power sector officers and discussed the strategy to be adopted to mitigate the power shortage.

The Government, which ensured round-the-clock power to Bangalore on the eve of Bangalore City Corporation elections, resorted to frequent power cuts after the elections on March 28.

The Chief Minister said, “We will ensure that adequate power will be made available in the months of April and May in the State, including Bangalore city.”