Karnataka has taken steps to reduce power cuts: minister

Karnataka Power Minister D K Shivakumar today said that the state government has taken steps to ensure there is no load-shedding during exam times so that students do not suffer. The state is facing a shortage of 1,400 Mw, which will reduced to 800 Mw by April.

“It is estimated that by April 2015 the shortfall in power is expected to be around 800 Mw but we will ensure that students don’t suffer because of this during the exam time,” he said responding to a question raised by K Gopalaiah during the question hour.

Shivakumar said situation is difficult till June but would be managed and steps, including ensuring efficient working of power generation units, have been taken in this regard. Farmers in rural areas have been requested to use the irrigation pump sets when there was less pressure, he said, adding, power was also being purchased on mid and short term basis. Shivakumar gave details about the steps being taken by the government to improve power generation in the state and become self reliant, which include 700 MW BTPS Unit 3 and 1600 MW Yermarus project among others.

Giving details about the solar power generation initiatives taken by the government in reply to a question by MLA Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, he said those setting up solar power plants would be allowed to sell surplus power generated by them at the rate of Rs 9.56 per unit to ESCOMS (Electricity Supply Companies) without subsidy.