BENGALURU: Karnataka is expected to register a power demand of 373.6 million units (MU) of electricity this month — an all-time high — with a peak load of 18,986Mw, the energy department estimates based on consumption patterns. Bengaluru alone would account for a peak load of around 2,000-2,500Mw.On March 13, peak demand stood at 18,655Mw and consumption for that day was 369.7MU.Officials worry that the ongoing LPG supply crunch could add pressure on the grid since households and hoteliers would switch to electric stoves for cooking and heating.While engineers are closely monitoring the situation, energy department officials say they have planned meticulously and are confident Karnataka is well-prepared to meet demand.
Power demand
“Demand usually peaks in March and plateaus in the summer months of April and May,” said a senior engineer from Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL). “This is because of the load from airconditioners in urban areas and irrigation pump (IP) sets in rural areas. The load from IP sets drops after the summer crop harvest late March and mango showers (pre-monsoon) in April and May cuts agricultural demand further.”Estimates by State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) show Karnataka’s peak demand could reach 18,986Mw. “While this is expected peak load, statewide consumption would be around 10,000 to 11,000MU,” a senior energy official said. “If citizens or entrepreneurs, including hoteliers, switch to electric stoves or heaters, it will increase the load by another 400 to 500Mw, with consumption stretching up to 12,000MU.”Thermal, solar generationThe govt, meanwhile, is banking on thermal generation and solar power. “We have a barter system with other states such as Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh which do not consume much power in summer,” said KJ George, energy minister. “While we receive continuous power from Punjab and Haryana, we draw power from Uttar Pradesh as and when demand spikes. Similarly, we supply to these states when we are surplus during monsoon months.”Officials say uninterrupted generation from thermal plants and solar energy are key. “KPCL alone generates about 5,070Mw from its thermal plants, besides 1,000Mw from Udupi Power Corporation Ltd,” said Gaurav Gupta, additional chief secretary (energy). “Of the 9,600Mw installed solar capacity, we get 7,000 to 7,500Mw. While solar power meets daytime demand, thermal plants help during the night.”The state has rationed water at major hydel reservoirs to ensure steady generation until the monsoon.“We generate about 2,800 to 3,000Mw of hydel power,” an engineer said. “Also, central generating stations supply 3,500 to 4,000Mw daily. We have also signed power purchase agreements (PPA) with several private thermal plants for 1,000Mw, which will be added to the state grid by April 1.”
