Power shortage in Karnataka reaches all-time high

With power shortage in Karnataka reaching an all-time high during the ensuing summer, the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) is resorting to load shedding even in the nights, forcing people to go without fans and air-conditioners.

Against the availability of 130 million units of power a day, Karnataka’s power requirement had touched 150 million units, creating an all-time high shortfall of 20 million units.

Though the KPTCL had anticipated power consumption to touch 140 million units during summer, the actual requirement has overshot the estimate and reached 150 million units, bringing the power supply frequency below the 49 hzds even during midnights when power consumption is the lowest. Increased power consumption during midnights has been attributed to use of air conditioners in the cities and irrigation pump-sets in the villages.

The Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre, which monitors power supply situation in the southern region, has already written several letters to Karnataka cautioning against the falling power supply frequency levels. If the power frequency levels falls below the 49 hzds, the power grid of the entire southern region could collapse leading to a blackout in all the southern states, Karnataka has been warned.

Hence, the KPTCL was left with no option, but to impose load shedding even during midnights to make up for the shortage of power and prevent a collapse of the southern region power grid.

The power supply in Karnataka has been worsened on account of a breakdown at the 100 MW hydel power generating station at Sharavathi. Several parts of Bangalore and the rest of the State have begun experiencing frequent interruptions in power supply, both during day and night, on account of the shortage.

KPTCL officials said the situation in the State would improve only after one or two spells of rainfall in the region.