Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
H
ighlights of Energy Department Review Meeting held on 13-10-2023 under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
1.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave strict instructions to the MDs of Escoms that,as the demand for power has increased significantly due to the severe drought situation in the state,electricity should be supplied to farmers continuously for five hours in three shifts every day and precautions should be taken to avoid load shedding.
2.The CM instructed officers to take measures for providing at least five hours of uninterrupted electricity to the farmers as the demand for electricity is high in the agricultural sector.
3.Efficient distribution of available power is also very important.MDs of Escoms should be more cautious in this matter and should take measures that help farmers.All the Chief Engineers are appointed as Nodal Officers to every district and must ensure uninterrupted power supply for 5 hrs.
4.The Chief Minister ordered that a committee should be formed under the chairmanship of the District in-charge Minister to ensure that the decisions of today’s meeting are followed.
5.The officials explained that in the last five years, installed capacity of power generation has increased to 4000 MW only. Although the state has a total power generation capacity of 32,000 MW,of which 16,000 MW is solar power.The solar power is generated only during daytime and causes disruption in the management of electricity demand. Besides,problems with regard to coal have been resolved and tenders have been called for the purchase of imported coal.
6.Measures to get power in IEX/ BILATERAL.
Officials informed that 300 MW electricity from Uttar Pradesh and 600 MW from Punjab will be obtained from the month of November.Action will be taken to purchase short-term 1500 MW electricity taking the approval of KERC.
7.Officials explained that Section 11 of the Electricity Act has been invoked under national disaster management to procure electricity from power generators in the state and the power shortage will be overcome.
8.Power shortage is severe in all southern states.Every year you should have a contingency plan.The CM warned that the problem cannot be solved if you are making preparations at the last minute.
9.13% of electricity is lost in power transmission. Electricity theft is reduced because of the Gruha Jyothi scheme.Industrial electricity theft is very low, the officials opined.
10.Demand for electricity has increased in some districts to water the sugarcane crop.This demand may drop after the sugar cane crop is ready for harvest and crushing.Electricity can also be obtained through co-generation along with the crushing process of sugar cane.
A.No Power capacity addition in the last 5 years.
Power system requires proper planning as these are long gestation projects.
1.Even though small capacity in private sector (solar, wind etc.) was added, there was no new power purchase agreement.
2. Chhattisgarh pit head power plant –no progress was made.
3.Captive mine at Mandakini,Orissa – was not pursued.
4.Solar decentralised plant under KUSUM-C sanctioned for 3,37,508 pumpsets –was not pursued.
5.Standalone/Offgrid pumps–7000 allocation of 2020-21 was not even exhausted.Other states got even 1 lakh allocation.
6.State share of 150MW allowed to go to New Delhi.
B.This year power demand is 40-50% higher as compared to last year.
• Poor Monsoons.
• High IP set demand.
• Strong Post-Covid recovery in economy.
1.Daily consumption has gone from 180MUs to 280 MUs/day. (from last year to this year).
2.Peak daytime power demand has gone from 11000MW to demand of 16000MW (in monsoon season).
3. Night time power of about 10,000MW is adversely affected because of poor hydroelectricity availability & poor wind generation.
4. Energy exchanges across the country are also seeing very high demand– inspite of that efforts going on in the State to procure 1000 to 1500MW from the exchange.
5.Inspite of higher power generation,(higher by 40-50% over the last year) to meet higher power demand, on some days there may be shortfall of up to 40MUs.
C. Stepping up to generate more power in the State sector.
1.Hydro reservoirs down by 3000MU–on an average of 10MUs/day.Being used only for peaking & grid balancing.
2.Thermal plants.
• Annual Overhaul (AOH) for several units is usually scheduled for monsoons.Because of high demand all units being put back on bar.
3.Coal quality affected because of rains in Nagpur/ Ramagundam area.Issues raised with coal ministry.
4.All existing coal linkages 15 lakh MT/month being pursued on a daily basis & obtained. There is no shortfall.
• Additional 2 lakh MT/month got obtained from MCL – RSR in September, after lot of efforts.
5.Imported coal tender for 2.5 lakhs MT called and being evaluated.This coal of high calorific value would be used for blending which would improve the power generation.
6.Proposal for coal washing to improve quality is being actively considered.
D.Obtaining/getting power from Exchange/Bi-lateral swaps/State Open access generators.
1.Power availability on exchange being monitored on hour to hour basis, and bids placed to obtain power as needed and projected by SLDC.
2. Bilateral power swapping being taken up with UP (300MW) and Punjab (500MW)–the power being taken now from these States would be returned in next monsoon.
3.KERC has approved Short term power procurement of 1500MW.The tenders are being called.
4.Section 11 of Electricity Act is being invoked under Natural Calamity”to obtain power from open access generators (Thermal,Co-generation and RE) in the state. This would enable us to procure 800MW.
E.Power capacity augmentation in the state.
1.KPC Gas plant (370 MW) being taken up for operationalization.
2.In the 1st phase,1300MW being added under KUSUM C for decentralised solar generation for IP sets another 1200MW would be taken in the 2nd phase.
3.Addition of another 300MW solar in Pavagada, and 500MW solar park in Gulbarga.
4.Pumped Hydro plant of 2000MW being taken up in Sharavathy.CEA,CWC and MOEFCC clearances would be obtained on fast track basis by December,2023.
5.State’s captive mine in Chhattisgarh in Godhana, being pursued for private investment/joint ventures.
6.Proposal to buyout stressed power plants in other states being looked into.
F. Power supply/Distribution monitoring:
1.Daily monitoring of power supply at level of ACS, Energy and MD,KPTCL.
2.Every district –one Nodal Officer of CE level from KPTCL / ESCOMs to monitor power supply to substations & feeders.
3.MD of ESCOMs working to ensure proper communication with all stakeholders,and to ensure equitable power distribution.
Demand for electricity has increased:
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that due to a decrease in rainfall,demand for electricity has increased as in summer season.
He was speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha today.The production of electricity has decreased and demand has increased.
Last year,only 9000 to 10000 MW was being used by this time.
But this year,the demand for electricity has gone upto 15000 to 16000 MW and hence the problem.A meeting has been called this afternoon to discuss the means to purchase electricity,he said.
The CM also informed that an order was also issued yesterday stating that those who produce electricity should sell it to the government and should not sell elsewhere.
*BJP is not aware of the actual situation :
Reacting to the BJP’s allegation that preventive measures were not taken,the CM said that it is not necessary to answer to all the allegations made by BJP.
They only speak with a political intention.Do they know about the actual situation? There is a problem due to drought. However, electricity is being supplied.
There is no complete load shedding as they say. The CM said that providing electricity for 7 hours in three phase may not be possible and the matter will be discussed in today’s meeting.
