Bengaluru: For decades, when Karnataka’s power demand during summer scaled new heights, it was the towering chimneys of Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) that carried the burden of keeping the state cool and illuminated.But this summer, the script dramatically changed. Rising from a district long associated with iron, manganese ore wealth and its famed denim industry, Ballari emerged the thermal power capital.Setting a new benchmark, Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS) generated 944 million units of electricity in April, when consumption soared past previous records. While old workhorse RTPS, with an installed capacity of 1,720 Mw, generated 939 million units in April, Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Raichur, with an installed capacity of 1,600 Mw, generated 812 million units.Senior officials at Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) revealed that BTPS alone accounted for nearly 35% of the state’s total thermal power demand during the month despite Karnataka’s evolving energy sector being increasingly dominated by renewable energy sources.Unlike other seasons, thermal plants undergo intense pressure in summer. “Due to low water storage in major hydel reservoirs, hydel power is limited and the burden falls on thermal plants to meet surging demand,” said a KPCL engineer. “All these years, RTPS took that load. More than 60% of Karnataka would have been powered by RTPS. But for the first time, Ballari (installed capacity of 1,700Mw) has overtaken not just RTPS but all the three state-owned thermal plants.”While the state consumed 3,449 million units during April 2025, demand soared to 3,933 million units this April. Commissioned in 2007, the highest generation at BTPS was 36.853 million units on May 7.Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary (energy) acknowledged the steady performance of BTPS over the years. “The plant has been a saviour this summer, delivering its best performance. Boilers, steam turbines and generators have all been in good condition and there has been no breakdown despite huge demand and high generation. Coal handling is crucial since it gets its supply from a captive mine at Baranj in Maharashtra and Mandakini in Odisha,” he said.
