Bengaluru: Days after Chief Minister DK Shivakumar directed Energy Department officials to draw up an emergency power management plan amid concerns over El Niño-induced rainfall disruptions and a possible decline in hydropower generation, the department on Thursday began preparations to secure additional electricity through co-generation plants, interstate power banking arrangements and long-term power purchase agreements to ensure uninterrupted supply until May 2027.Reviewing the state’s power situation, Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta directed officials to initiate the process of procuring 500-700 MW of electricity from co-generation units and finalise power banking arrangements with other states before October 2026.The advance procurement strategy comes amid concerns that deficient rainfall could hit hydropower generation and increase Karnataka’s dependence on thermal power and electricity purchased from external sources to meet demand in the coming months.Gupta directed the Power Company of Karnataka Limited (PCKL) to expedite the procurement of electricity from co-generation units. Officials were also asked to explore round-the-clock (RTC) and peak-hour power purchases to manage fluctuations in demand and avert possible supply shortages. The department has also been instructed to finalise power banking arrangements with other states before October, enabling Karnataka to supply surplus electricity during periods of lower demand and draw power when its requirements increase.Energy Minister KJ George said the government would explore long-term power purchase agreements wherever feasible, provided they do not impose an additional financial burden on the state. “Preparations must begin now to ensure adequate power supply until the end of May next year. Under no circumstances should the public face hardship. As far as possible, long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) should be made without creating a financial burden,” George said.Alongside external power procurement, the Energy Department is seeking to maximise generation from the state’s existing sources. Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has been directed to operate its thermal power stations at maximum capacity and maintain adequate coal stocks. Maintenance of thermal and hydel generating stations will also be scheduled based on priority and grid requirements to minimise disruptions.The government has also sought faster commissioning of KPTCL’s 500 MVA Battery Energy Storage System and 300 MVA of solar power projects being developed by JSW through KREDL. Officials have been directed to accelerate projects under the KUSUM-B and KUSUM-C schemes to augment renewable energy availability.Gupta said poor rainfall had already affected hydropower generation, making advance planning and diversification of electricity sources critical. The state’s contingency strategy will rely on a combination of thermal generation, renewable energy, co-generation purchases, interstate power banking and market procurement to build a supply buffer against potential power shortages triggered by El Niño conditions.Even as monsoon rains battered parts of the state on Wednesday, Karnataka recorded a power consumption of 268.49 million units (MU). Thermal power plants accounted for 68.96 MU, while wind energy emerged as the largest renewable contributor at 77.40 MU, followed by solar power at 36.03 MU and hydropower at 25.74 MU. Co-generation units and waste-to-energy plants contributed 1.09 MU and 0.17 MU, respectively. The state also received 58.20 MU of electricity from the central grid and other sources. During 2026-27 so far, Karnataka recorded its highest peak demand of 18,478 MW and peak daily energy consumption of 372.42 MU on April 16, 2026.
A view of the State-owned Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) in Raichur.
Thermal Power PushIn the meantime, the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has stepped up efforts to ensure adequate coal stocks and maximise electricity generation from the state’s thermal power stations. Two days ago, KPCL Manging Director Rajendra Cholan visited the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) and Yeramarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS)–two of the top thermal generating stations of Karnataka and reviewed generation capacity, operational preparedness and coal availability.During a meeting with officials, Cholan assessed existing coal stocks and measures required to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to the thermal plants. Cholan directed officials to strengthen equipment maintenance, improve operational efficiency and closely monitor coal procurement and stockpiles to prevent shortages that could affect thermal power generation.
