From thermal generation to national grid, Shivakumar weighs options to secure Karnataka’s power supply

With Karnataka's electricity demand crossing 19,000 MW and drought already declared in 100 taluks, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is turning to multiple measures to prevent a looming shortage of power and drinking water across the state.

Shivakumar on Monday said the government was examining ways to increase thermal power generation, source electricity from coal-producing regions and draw additional power through the national grid as demand continues to rise.

Speaking to reporters in Kanakapura, he said he had directed Energy Minister KJ George to hold detailed discussions on the situation and explore possible arrangements with neighbouring states.

The move comes as Karnataka's power demand crossed 19,000 MW last week, forcing the government to purchase electricity at Rs 11-13 per unit during evening peak hours.

Shivakumar said the government was looking at several options to ensure that the state does not face a power shortage.

Increasing thermal generation and securing electricity from outside Karnataka are among the measures being considered to meet the state's growing requirements.

The Chief Minister also flagged the worsening water situation, saying groundwater levels had fallen drastically this year.

The depletion has resulted in widespread crop damage, while several areas have been left without cultivation.

Drought has already been declared in 100 taluks, Shivakumar said, while assessments of other areas are underway.

He maintained that the government would follow prescribed parameters while declaring drought-hit areas and would not allow political considerations to influence the process.

Any area meeting the required criteria would be declared drought-hit once the assessment is completed, he said.

Shivakumar explores national grid option

One of the options being examined by the Karnataka government is sourcing electricity generated in other parts of the country through the One Nation, One Grid system.

Shivakumar said the system would allow Karnataka to bring in electricity from other regions, although the state would have to pay transmission charges for using the national grid.

The government is also considering sourcing power from coal-producing regions and increasing thermal generation within the state.

Shivakumar said Karnataka's expanding requirements for electricity, water and land were partly linked to increased investment activity across the state.

He indicated that strengthening generation capacity and securing supplies from outside Karnataka would be important to meet future demand.

Drought to dominate legislature session

The government is also preparing to take up the drought situation in the special session of the Karnataka legislature scheduled from September 21 to 23.

Two days of the session will be devoted to discussions on drought and the problems faced by farmers.

MLAs from different political parties will be able to raise concerns specific to their constituencies, Shivakumar said.

Cabinet to meet in Dakshina Kannada

The Karnataka Cabinet will hold its first meeting in the coastal region at Dakshina Kannada on September 18.

Preventing migration and making better use of local resources will be among the government's focus areas, Shivakumar said, adding that several programmes and new initiatives would be announced at the meeting.

He said the initiatives would seek to improve people's lives and create better opportunities in the region.

The meeting is part of the government's effort to take policy discussions and decision-making closer to different parts of the state.

During his Kanakapura visit, Shivakumar also inspected a hostel and interacted with officials about student welfare.

He said students from Kalaburagi, Raichur, Haveri and Bidar were staying in hostels there, although many had returned home for the festival.

Shivakumar stressed the need to monitor the students' academic progress and ensure that wardens properly discharge their responsibilities.

Parents entrust their children to government care expecting their education, safety and overall welfare to be properly looked after, he said.

On the government's 'Praja Seva' initiative, Shivakumar said all Congress MLAs would participate in the programme.

Some legislators, he added, still needed to be briefed about the initiative and the department responsible for implementing it.

The initiative is aimed at taking governance closer to citizens, addressing public grievances and improving delivery of government schemes.

On the remaining vacant ministerial positions, Shivakumar said they would be filled whenever the Congress party gives the direction.