As the demand for power in Karnataka is rising every week with the temperatures, consumers in Bengaluru have started complaining about power cuts lasting for hours despite the government’s claims that there will be no load shedding this year.
On Saturday, there were many complaints from BTM Layout and surrounding areas after a power trip incident in the Jayadeva substation. From morning until 5 p.m., several consumers complained that they were unable to perform daily activities. Consumers from areas like Malleswaram, Yemlur, Bommanahalli, and Kadugodi complained about power interruptions during the night hours this week.
“We faced a power cut during the weekend disrupting many of our plans. With the weather getting warm, it is getting increasingly difficult to spend even a few minutes without the fan,” said Raju S., resident of Jayanagar.
Although the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) had issued a notification regarding scheduled power interruptions for maintenance purposes, consumers complained that power was not restored even beyond the specified hours. “Their schedule said that power outage will be between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., but even after 2 p.m., power was not restored. Then power was cut again around 6 p.m.,” said Ritesh from Electronics City.
However, Bescom officials said there are no unscheduled power cuts. “As it is examination time, we are being careful and there have been no power cuts for any reason other than maintenance. While we are aware that the demand for electricity has been going up, we are well-equipped to handle it and if need be, we will even purchase power and supply it, just like last year. Consumers can report their complaints on helpline 1912 and they will immediately be resolved,” said a senior official.
Two weeks after recording the highest peak demand ever in the State, on February 14, the peak demand was 18,057 MW at 10 a.m. In Bescom region, 8,248 MW, the highest peak demand so far this year, was recorded on February 7 at 9.51 a.m. In February last year, the peak demand of 8,128 MW by the end of the month.
The Energy Department officials attribute the rising demand to rising heat and said the usage of air conditioning systems began earlier this year along with agricultural demand also going up.
Govt. directions
Meanwhile, Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Energy Department, in a press note, said the State peak has surpassed 18,000 MW and the power demand is likely to reach 19,000 MW in the coming month. In a meeting held on February 14, directions have been issued to multiple stakeholders to ensure adequate power supply.
Among them is to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) to expedite congestion relief efforts in all substations and lines to complete the works and enable power supply during solar hours to Power Company of Karnataka Ltd. (PCKL) to procure power through the market for immediate relief as well as take up short-term procurement through tenders passed on Escoms’ demand, and KPCL being asked to improve their thermal generation at maximum level and keep all the units on bar.
The State Load Despatch Center (SLDC) has been asked to forecast the demand and consumption day-in and day-out and advise PCKL to enable immediate action, and report congestion occurring due to station and line overloading and coordinate with KPTCL for remedial measures to enable seamless power flow.
Bescom has been asked to take action to commission the ongoing KUSUM-C projects on a war-footing to provide congestion relief and to facilitate energy management, while Escoms have to ensure daytime power supply for irrigation in forest areas to alleviate human-animal conflicts. Escoms have also been asked to take measures to curb the use of irrigation pump-sets during the single-phase power supply period.
FKCCI objects to tariff revision proposal
The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has opposed Bescom’s tariff revision proposal and pressed on the need for a transparent tariff without any hidden costs.
It has insisted for the tariff should be determined within 20% of the cost to serve and distribution losses should not be loaded on HT consumers.
“FKCCI requests the commission not to approve any increase in the fixed charges and the demand charges. In order to prevent HT consumers leaving the grid, tariff of HT consumers should be reduced by at least 100 paise per unit. FKCCI desires for installation of independent feeders for industrial belts across the State,” M.G. Balakrishna, president of the federation, said in a release.
